Dutch parliament backs move to protect ICC from US sanctions

The Dutch parliament has approved a motion calling on the government to explore ways to ensure the International Criminal Court (ICC) retains access to international payment systems despite US sanctions targeting the court.

The motion was submitted on 8th October by Hanneke van der Werf of the D66 party, alongside MPs Kati Piri of the Progressive party, Sarah Dobbe of the Socialist Party and Maes van Lanschot of the Christian Democratic party.

It calls on the government, in cooperation with the Dutch central bank and the European Central Bank, to examine ways to ensure that the ICC and other legal entities affected by sanctions can continue accessing international payment systems.

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One option under consideration is routing payments through a public financial institution, allowing the affected entities to meet their financial obligations despite external sanctions pressure.

The motion argues that it is undesirable for third countries to be able to indirectly determine whether an independent international judicial body can access international payment systems.

It also stresses that the Netherlands, as the ICC’s host country, has a special responsibility to ensure the court can continue operating.

The motion further calls on the Netherlands to take a leading role within the European Union in strengthening Europe’s autonomy in dealing with other major powers.

Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen expressed a positive view of the motion. It was also supported by the parties represented by its sponsors, other parties in the governing coalition and most opposition parties.

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