U.S. sanctions cripple ICC operations in The Hague
Operations at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague have been severely disrupted by sweeping U.S. sanctions imposed in February, according to a detailed report by the Associated Press. The sanctions followed the ICC’s issuance of arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in connection with alleged war crimes committed in Gaza.
Current and former ICC staff, lawyers, and human rights advocates told AP the court’s ability to function has been dramatically curtailed. Core operations have reportedly come to a near standstill, with the ICC unable to perform even basic functions.
The sanctions were enacted by U.S. President Donald Trump in early February, shortly after the ICC issued arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant. The warrants, filed in November, allege the two Israeli leaders were responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by Israeli forces in Gaza. The decision sparked outrage from both the Israeli government and the United States.
The sanctions include financial penalties and visa restrictions targeting individuals who assist the ICC in investigations involving U.S. citizens or their allies. Several dozen of the court’s roughly 900 employees hold U.S. citizenship. American ICC staff have been warned they risk arrest if they return to the United States.
Among those affected is ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan, whose access to his Microsoft email account was terminated. His bank accounts have also been frozen.
Human rights organizations and NGOs that regularly collaborate with the ICC—particularly on evidence collection—have reportedly suspended cooperation out of fear of U.S. retaliation. As a result, investigations have stalled.
According to AP sources, there is now serious doubt within the ICC about whether the institution can withstand a renewed Trump presidency. The court declined to comment when approached by AP.
Liz Evenson, director of international justice at Human Rights Watch, voiced deep concern. She said the U.S. sanctions are blocking victims from gaining access to justice. “The sanctions are an obstacle to justice,” Evenson told AP.
Dutch lawyer Geert-Jan Knoops, who is affiliated with the ICC, told NOS he was shocked by the scope of the measures. “I’m shocked by this,” he said. “I didn’t expect it would escalate like this.”
Knoops compared the current sanctions to those Trump imposed during his first term against former ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda. But, unlike then, the current sanctions are reportedly having far-reaching effects on ICC personnel.
Knoops called on the Dutch government to take concrete action to support and defend the ICC, particularly against financial disruptions. He said the Netherlands should provide legal guarantees to banks, shielding them from U.S. retaliation if they continue doing business with the court.
“The Netherlands can offer banks guarantees under European law to protect them from claims,” Knoops told NOS. If the U.S. were to pressure Dutch banks such as ABN AMRO or ING to cut ties with the ICC, these guarantees would defend the banks from liability. “That would be a significant step toward securing the ICC’s funding.”
