Netherlands prepares measures to protect ICC from possible US sanctions
Netherlands prepares to protect ICC from possible US sanctions (photo: Getty Images)
The Netherlands is considering how to protect the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague from the consequences of possible US sanctions, NOS reports.
Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel said that Washington is threatening the ICC with new sanctions, and preparations for this scenario are already underway.
"Together with all member countries, we are, of course, urging the United States not to do this. But if it comes to that, we will look at how it will be possible to act under those conditions," he said.
According to him, such preparations have been underway for some time.
"But of course, we hope they will not be needed," the minister added.
He noted that the priority task in this scenario is to transfer all services and support used by the ICC to non-US companies, since in the event of sanctions, they would be prohibited from working with the ICC.
"People would no longer be able to use banking services or email programs. Everywhere US services are currently used, alternatives must be found," van Weel stressed.
At the same time, he acknowledged that this would not be easy.
"We do not have a fully European cloud or large technology companies in Europe. So even beyond the ICC issue, there is work to be done for Europe," the Dutch foreign minister added.
United States seeks to impose sanctions on the ICC
Earlier, the United States was considering imposing sanctions against all structures of the International Criminal Court (ICC), thereby risking its functioning.
Such sanctions could affect the ICC's day-to-day operations — from paying staff salaries to access to bank accounts and software on computers.
In August, the United States imposed sanctions on four judges and prosecutors of the International Criminal Court.
As explained by the US State Department, the decision was taken because of the ICC's efforts "to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute a protected person without consent of that person's country of nationality."
One judge was sanctioned for authorizing the ICC to investigate the activities of US personnel in Afghanistan.
Three others were sanctioned for their role in issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.
In addition, according to media reports, the United States is pressuring the International Criminal Court, demanding guarantees that President Donald Trump and senior US officials will not become subjects of future investigations.
