Netherlands Pledges to Ensure Continued Operations of the International Criminal Court
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte confirmed on Friday that his country would strive to ensure the continued operations of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is based in The Hague, despite the U.S. sanctions imposed against it.
Rutte said in his weekly press conference, “As the host country, we have a responsibility to ensure the ICC operates without any obstacles at all times. We will continue to do so,” according to Agence France-Presse.
These remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump, who accuses the ICC of “illegal actions,” signed an executive order on Thursday banning its officials and staff from entering the United States and freezing all of their assets in the country.
According to the White House statement, the court “has undertaken illegal actions, without basis, against the United States and our close ally Israel,” referring to the ICC’s investigations into potential war crimes committed by U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan and Israeli military personnel in Gaza.
Rutte described the sanctions as “a deeply concerning and very unfortunate signal,” with potential “significant consequences” on the ICC’s independence and its ongoing investigations.
He added, “The Netherlands supports the ICC, and we will continue to do so, as we are the host country.”
The Dutch Prime Minister continued, “We are also proud of the Netherlands and The Hague as a city of peace and justice. The ICC is a clear part of this, and we will do everything we can to ensure that the ICC is able to fulfill its duties.”
