ICC Assembly of States Parties to hold next session in The Hague, not New York

The next session of the International Criminal Court's Assembly of States Parties will be held in The Hague rather than New York, according to a report by TASS.

The relocation comes against a backdrop of strained relations between the ICC and the United States. The current US administration has imposed sanctions on the court on multiple occasions, actions that have drawn criticism from the court's supporters and member states.

The Assembly of States Parties is the ICC's management oversight and legislative body, made up of representatives from the court's member countries. It typically convenes annually to address budgetary, administrative and policy matters related to the court's operations.

Previous sessions have at times been held in New York, home to the United Nations headquarters, allowing for coordination with broader international diplomatic activity. Moving the session to The Hague, where the ICC is headquartered, may reflect practical or political considerations tied to the current tensions with Washington.

The United States is not a member of the ICC and has had a fraught relationship with the court for years, particularly over investigations touching on American personnel or allies. The sanctions imposed by the current administration have added further strain to that relationship.

Further details about the exact dates and agenda of the upcoming Hague session were not immediately available.