Netherlands Asks EU to Prepare 'Blocking Statute' to Shield ICC From Further US Sanctions

The Netherlands has asked the European Union to prepare a so-called blocking statute aimed at protecting the International Criminal Court from further sanctions imposed by the United States, according to Dutch minister Tom Berendsen.

Berendsen said the Netherlands, which hosts the ICC in The Hague, would "do everything we can" to protect the court, signaling growing concern among European governments over the impact of US sanctions on the institution's ability to operate.

A blocking statute is a legal mechanism the EU has previously used to shield European entities from the extraterritorial effects of foreign sanctions, allowing them to continue certain activities despite penalties imposed by another country. Applying such a measure in relation to the ICC would mark a significant step in the EU's efforts to preserve the court's independence.

The push comes amid continued tension between Washington and the ICC over the court's jurisdiction and past actions, tensions that have periodically resulted in US sanctions targeting the institution or individuals associated with it.

It remains unclear how quickly the EU might act on the Netherlands' request or what specific form a blocking statute protecting the ICC would take if adopted.