Dutch PM vows to preserve ‘unhindered’ functioning of ICC in The Hague, despite US sanctions

THE HAGUE — Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof says his country will seek to ensure the International Criminal Court, based in The Hague, can continue to operate despite announced US sanctions.

“Of course, as the host country, we have a responsibility to guarantee the unhindered functioning of the criminal court at all times. And we will keep doing that,” Schoof tells reporters.

Yesterday, US President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order placing sanctions on the ICC, angry over its probe into alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza.

Schoof describes the measures, which include asset freezes and travel bans against ICC officials, employees and their family members, along with anyone deemed to have helped the court’s investigations, as a “disturbing signal and very regrettable” with potentially “significant implications” for the ICC’s independence and ongoing investigations.

“The Netherlands stands by the International Criminal Court…. We are also proud of the Netherlands and also of The Hague as a city for peace and justice. The ICC is an explicit part of that. And we will do everything we can to ensure that the ICC can fulfil its tasks,” says the Dutch premier.