Rob Jetten defends International Criminal Court at UN as US threatens broad sanctions

Jetten addresses the UN General Assembly

Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten used his first address to the United Nations General Assembly to defend the International Criminal Court and the multilateral legal order. Speaking in New York, Jetten stated that international law functions for everyone or for nobody, warning that attempts to undermine the court compromise global legal protections. The Dutch leader refrained from naming the United States or President Donald Trump directly in his speech, despite measures from Washington targeting court personnel. Jetten noted that quiet diplomatic coordination between several nations had temporarily prevented additional US sanctions during the summit, though he stated that the situation could change in the coming weeks.

This court was established to protect us against impunity. It is built on the foundation of the Nuremberg and Tokyo trials.

US pressure and operational disruption

The diplomatic exchange follows public statements from the United States against the Hague-based institution. On 22 September 2026, Donald Trump addressed the United Nations, describing the court as an illegitimate tribunal and urging member nations to withdraw from it. The US administration opposed ICC inquiries into American personnel and objected to the arrest warrant issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Washington had already placed individual judges under sanctions, with reports indicating that the administration is considering measures against the entire organisation.

We will never allow American service members or anyone else to be investigated or put on show trials by an anti-American court without jurisdiction. It is a vicious group of people.

The existing restrictions have created operational difficulties for the court, which employs over 900 staff members from roughly 100 countries. Half of the 18 judges at the court, along with several members of the Office of the Prosecutor, currently face hurdles in booking travel, receiving salary payments, and using electronic communications because American companies are prohibited from servicing sanctioned individuals. European banks and businesses that rely on American software have also experienced administrative complications. In response, the court has started shifting its digital systems with Dutch assistance, moving away from Microsoft to the German platform Open Desk.

Local support and multilateral coordination

In The Hague, municipal political parties have called for local intervention on behalf of affected court personnel residing in the city. Council factions including Volt, D66, Denk, SP, Pro Den Haag, Partij voor de Dieren, and ChristenUnie-SGP proposed an action plan to assist employees unable to make card payments for housing and food. The Hague Mayor Jan van Zanen held talks with municipal leaders in New York ahead of the general debate to address court protections.

We must map out the risks and consequences of the sanctions and create an action plan for better protection. We cannot leave the people of the International Criminal Court to their fate. They are important to us as a city and to the world.

During his address, Jetten urged middle powers to take the initiative on multilateral cooperation rather than deferring solely to larger powers such as the United States and China. He cited artificial intelligence governance and climate change as sectors requiring coordinated action through United Nations channels. Jetten also addressed the war in Ukraine, calling for Russia to be held accountable for violations of the United Nations Charter.