Netherlands denies active talks with US over curbing ICC powers to lift sanctions

The Netherlands is not currently in active negotiations with the US over amendments to the Rome Statute or any response to the sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court (ICC), a spokesperson told Middle East Eye.

The official statement from the Dutch government on Friday comes after vague comments from Foreign Minister Tom Berendsen on whether US demands to shield heads of state and restrict the court's jurisdiction over nationals of non-member states were under consideration.

Berendsen's answers did not confirm the reported proposals to parliament, nor did he say whether the government would reject them.

The question by Hanneke van der Werf MP, from the Democrats 66 party, concerned a report by the Rights Forum on alleged Dutch discussions with the US regarding possible amendments to the ICC's founding…