ICC under pressure to move annual meeting to The Hague
The international criminal court is facing heavy US pressure, while civil society organisations are calling for a safe meeting in the Netherlands.
The annual meeting of the states parties to the International Criminal Court is once again under discussion. A coalition of civil society organisations wants the December gathering moved from New York to The Hague because of US sanctions and visa restrictions.
The Assembly of States Parties, the ICC’s governing body, had previously decided to hold its 25th session in New York in December. The Coalition for the International Criminal Court writes that, in its view, the location makes participation by civil society organisations and victims insufficiently safe and accessible.
The coalition is therefore calling for a move to The Hague or for a split meeting. Formal elections could take place in New York, with substantive deliberations held in The Hague. The organisation says the choice is linked to the deteriorating circumstances in the United States.
The US government has increased pressure on the ICC in recent months. According to Associated Press, court staff, including judges and senior officials, have been affected by US sanctions. Washington accuses the court of exceeding its powers by investigating individuals from countries that are not party to the Rome Statute.
The concerns also affect the Netherlands. The ICC is based in The Hague and the Netherlands is the host country. Associated Press reported that Dutch officials are taking further US sanctions into account and are examining how the court can remain operational, for example by supporting staff, witness protection and detention facilities.
The possible move is therefore more than a logistical issue. The location determines who can participate in the meeting without major financial, legal or visa-related problems. Supporters of The Hague see the choice as protecting international justice; opponents may view it as a further institutional confrontation with Washington.
The public sources do confirm the pressure and the call for a move, but contain no definitive decision document establishing the relocation to The Hague. The precise location and the consequences for the agenda therefore remain uncertain.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The Assembly of States Parties is the governing body of the International Criminal Court.
- According to the source consulted, the session for December 2026 was scheduled to take place in New York.
- The Coalition for the International Criminal Court is calling for a move to The Hague or a split meeting.
- The United States has imposed sanctions on ICC staff.
Left
Arguments International justice should be protected precisely when it is under pressure. A meeting in The Hague could make it easier for victims, civil society organisations and countries without US influence to participate.
Values Human rights, international solidarity and institutional independence.
Consequences A move could strengthen the court’s legitimacy and accessibility, but could also trigger further US countermeasures.
Centre
Arguments The location should above all be legally, practically and diplomatically workable. A split meeting or additional security safeguards could offer a compromise without moving the decision-making process in its entirety.
Values Institutional continuity, feasibility and diplomatic restraint.
Consequences A compromise would limit escalation, but could be organisationally complex and leave the fundamental issue unresolved.
Right
Arguments The ICC should exercise restraint with decisions that further worsen its relationship with the United States. The priority should be the court’s continuity and limiting risks to staff and participating countries.
Values National sovereignty, security and administrative responsibility.
Consequences Sticking with New York could preserve diplomatic room for manoeuvre, but could make participation by critical organisations and witnesses more difficult.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved with corrections · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The context surrounding US sanctions and the debate over the location is well documented. The move itself could not be confirmed by a definitive public decision and has therefore been phrased cautiously.
- confirmed The Assembly of States Parties had scheduled the December 2026 session to take place in New York. — This is stated in the Coalition for the International Criminal Court’s appeal. source
- confirmed The coalition is calling for a move to The Hague or a split meeting. — The appeal explicitly mentions both options. source
- confirmed The United States has sanctioned ICC staff. — Associated Press describes sanctions against staff, judges and senior officials. source
- confirmed The Netherlands is the host country of the ICC in The Hague. — The official ICC page lists The Hague as the court’s seat. source
- uncertain A definitive decision on relocating to The Hague has been publicly confirmed. — The public sources consulted contain no definitive decision document. source
1 correction(s) applied
- Was: The annual meeting is moving to The Hague.Now: Civil society organisations are calling for a move to The Hague; no definitive public decision could be confirmed. (The public sources confirm the call, but not the definitive decision.)
Editor's note
The US pressure and the call to move the meeting have been confirmed. No definitive public decision on relocating to The Hague was found.Sources
- Assembly of States Parties — International Criminal Court
- Safeguarding Civil Society Participation at ASP25 — Coalition for the International Criminal Court
- Germany's foreign minister visits the ICC, pledging full support despite Trump's sanctions — Associated Press
- Strafhof-kwestie escaleert dag voor VN-vergadering — NOS