Dutch foreign minister declines to deny talks are under way on curbing ICC powers

Dutch Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen has declined to rule out the suggestion that discussions are taking place over sweeping restrictions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), following a report that the Netherlands is negotiating with Washington over changes that could severely undermine the court's powers.

Questioned in parliament on Wednesday, Berendsen said diplomatic discussions were taking place but he would not specify whether proposals to shield national leaders and restrict the court's jurisdiction were under consideration.

The exchange followed a report by Dutch rights organisation The Rights Forum, citing anonymous diplomatic sources in New York, that the Netherlands was negotiating restrictions in response to US sanctions.