Netherlands reaffirms support for ICC while Trump escalates pressure

Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen has underscored that the Netherlands "stands firmly" behind the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is headquartered in the country, and its work to pursue international justice in light of US President Donald Trump increasing pressure on the institution.

Berendsen made the statement in a post on X after meeting ICC President Tomoko Akane on August 20. 

His public statement comes days after Akane, the first Japanese national to lead the Hague-based court, was sanctioned by the Trump administration, which has accused the ICC of overstepping state sovereignty.

"I commend her leadership and value our close cooperation. As host nation and state party, the Netherlands stands firmly behind the ICC and its vital work for international justice," Berendsen said, alongside a photo of himself with Akane.

The United States sanctioned Akane and ICC trial lawyer Abdoulaye Seye of Senegal on August 18 as part of the Trump administration’s campaign against what it describes as a "corrupt and fatally politicised" institution.

The sanctions prevent the two officials from entering the United States and restrict their ability to conduct transactions through the US financial system.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was sanctioning Akane and Seye because they had "directly" participated "in efforts by the ICC to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute officials whose government has not consented to ICC jurisdiction."

The United States has repeatedly accused the ICC of taking "politicised actions" and of "targeting Israel" after the court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged crimes related to the war in Gaza.

Akane warned on August 21 against what she described as "the demise of international rule of law" following the US sanctions against her.

The ICC said Akane and Berendsen also discussed "collective efforts in defence of justice and the rule of law", adding that the court's president expressed its gratitude for the Netherlands’ strong support.

International reaction

The US sanctions against ICC leadership have prompted criticism from governments and international organisations.

Japan, however, has stopped short of directly criticising the United States, its closest ally. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi simply described the sanctions as "very unfortunate".

UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed serious concern over the sanctions, while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has also reaffirmed her support for the ICC.

Von der Leyen said the court’s judges and officials must be able to "act independently and without external pressure."

The confrontation has intensified a long-running dispute between Washington and the ICC over the court’s jurisdiction and its investigations into alleged international crimes involving officials from countries that have not accepted its authority.

By Nazrin Sadigova