Eight countries voice support for International Criminal Court
The countries condemn the announced US sanctions, but announce no joint countermeasures.
Follow-up to: EU backs ICC after new US sanctions Friday, 9 October 2026, 17:49
The Netherlands and seven other countries on Friday once again voiced their support for the International Criminal Court. The statement follows the announcement of new US sanctions that could affect the court financially and operationally.
The statement was signed by Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. The countries say they will continue to support the court’s independence, impartiality and integrity, and describe the US sanctions as regrettable and unacceptable.
The United States announced on Friday that it wanted to target the court broadly. According to news agency AP, US financial services, technology companies and the use of dollars are part of the measures. Washington accuses the court of overstepping its powers through investigations into the United States and ally Israel.
The eight countries warn that the sanctions could have consequences for the court’s work, its staff and their families. At the same time, they stress that the court has prepared to continue its work. The statement contains no concrete decision on funding, a European protection mechanism or other countermeasures.
The Netherlands has a special position as the host country. The court is based in The Hague, where its detention facility is also located. The Dutch government has previously said it is using diplomatic means to prevent further escalation and to involve European allies in this effort.
The countries also say they want to continue discussions with states that are not party to the Rome Statute, the treaty on which the court is based. Among other things, that dialogue is to precede the meeting of the states parties in December. The wording points to a combination of political support and diplomatic restraint.
What the sanctions mean in practice will depend on the US implementing rules and on the response of European banks, technology companies and governments. The statement does make clear that the signatories see an attack on the court as a broader issue concerning international justice and the rule of law, not merely as a bilateral conflict between Washington and The Hague.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The United States has announced new sanctions against the International Criminal Court.
- Eight countries, including the Netherlands, have once again voiced their support for the court.
- The joint statement contains support and a call for dialogue, but no announced joint countermeasures.
Left
Arguments International crimes require independent justice, including when powerful countries or allies are being investigated. European countries should therefore actively protect the court and not allow themselves to be guided by US pressure.
Values Equality before the law, protection of victims and a strong international rule of law.
Consequences A restrained response could weaken the court and discourage other states from prosecuting international crimes.
Centre
Arguments The Netherlands and Europe should support the court institutionally, while keeping diplomatic channels open with countries that do not recognise the Rome Statute. Legal continuity and practical protection can be organised step by step.
Values The rule of law, international cooperation and administrative feasibility.
Consequences A measured approach could keep the court standing without provoking further escalation with the United States.
Right
Arguments An international institution should not exercise unlimited jurisdiction over countries that do not recognise its authority. European countries must safeguard their own interests and sovereignty and not automatically adopt US measures, while also avoiding an open-ended commitment.
Values National control, democratic oversight and restraint in the exercise of international power.
Consequences Greater political control could increase public support, but a weak response to sanctions could make international prosecutions less credible.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · 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 key facts have been confirmed by AP and a public version of the joint statement. The consequences of the sanctions have been described as possible rather than fully certain.
- confirmed Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom signed the statement. — The countries are listed in the public version of the statement. source
- confirmed The United States announced broad sanctions against the court. — AP describes the announcement and its intended scope. source
- confirmed The sanctions could affect the court’s work, its staff and their families. — This is stated in the joint statement as reported by Agenzia Nova. source
- confirmed The International Criminal Court is based in The Hague. — The Dutch government describes the Netherlands’ special role as the host country of international legal organisations, including the ICC. source
Editor's note
The US announcement, the eight signatories and their statement of support are certain. The precise consequences for European companies and the scope of the US implementing measures are not yet fully known.Sources
The story so far
- Friday, 9 October 2026, 11:44 Navi Pillay awarded Nobel Peace Prize
- Friday, 9 October 2026, 15:44 Pillay responds to Nobel Prize with a joke
- Friday, 9 October 2026, 16:45 US imposes new sanctions on ICC
- Friday, 9 October 2026, 17:49 EU backs ICC after new US sanctions
- Friday, 9 October 2026, 18:46 Eight countries voice support for International Criminal Court (this article)
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „internationaal strafhof”
- RTL Nieuws — „internationaal strafhof”
- NOS — „internationaal strafhof”