Dutch foreign minister declines to deny talks are under way on curbing ICC powers

Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen has not confirmed or denied reports that his government is discussing potential restrictions on the International Criminal Court (ICC) powers. This comes after a Dutch rights organisation, The Rights Forum, cited anonymous diplomatic sources in New York reporting the Netherlands was negotiating with the US over changes to the court.

Berendsen stated that diplomatic discussions were taking place but declined to specify if proposals to shield national leaders and limit the court's jurisdiction were on the table. He noted that all member states would have to agree, as more than 120 would have to reach an agreement with the US. The proposed changes include granting immunity to heads of state and government, excluding nationals of non-member countries from the court's jurisdiction, and weakening the ICC's ability to intervene when national authorities fail to prosecute.

The US imposed sanctions on the ICC in October 2023 following arrest warrants issued for Israeli officials, escalating a campaign targeting the court's judges and prosecutors.