That 72 countries at the United Nations threw their weight behind the International Criminal Court on Monday as two of its officials face sanctions from Washington sends the message that unilateralism will come to nothing but a dead end.

The joint declaration from the 72 countries, including close allies of the United States such as Australia, Canada, France and the United Kingdom, reconfirming their unwavering support for the court "as an independent and impartial judicial institution", shows that approach is making the world's sole superpower increasingly isolated in the international community.

The feud between Washington and the ICC began in June when the US president authorized economic sanctions against ICC officials directly involved a war probe into US military personnel in Afghanistan.

The US secretary of state then formally announced the sanctions on Sept 2 while attacking The Hague-based international court's "illegitimate attempts to subject Americans to its jurisdiction".

Just like the declaration has rightfully put it, sanctions "are a tool to be used against those responsible for the most serious crimes, not against those seeking justice". The ICC has also pointed out the illegal nature of the US move by stating in June that the US attacks "constitute an escalation and an unacceptable attempt to interfere with the rule of law and the Court's judicial proceedings". Apparently, Washington intends to shield US and allied soldiers who commit war crimes.

Washington's actions against the ICC officials lay bare its willingness to leverage the US hegemony to override justice and tread roughshod over the global governance system.

But in today's interdependent world, it is naive to think countries can solve problems in isolation, without the support of the international community. With the pandemic still raging in many parts of the world, including the US, and humankind facing multiple challenges, ranging from the climate crisis to terrorism, the world today needs multilateralism and cooperation more than ever before.

It is hoped the declaration by the 72 countries will not fall on deaf ears but rather drive home the message that multilateralism, as the cornerstone of the post-World War II international order, still has strong support in the world arena.

The signatories, all from countries that signed the Rome Statute that set up the ICC, vowed "to preserve its integrity and independence undeterred by any measures or threats against the court, its officials and those cooperating with it".

The joint statement is a rebuttal of Washington's belief that the US is above and beyond international law.