Netherlands

State Party: yes
Date signed: July 18, 1998
Date ratified: July 17, 2001

National Legislation

International Criminal Court Implementation Act 2002
270 Act of 19 June 2003 containing rules concerning serious violations of international humanitarian law (International Crimes Act)
The Constitution of the Kingdom of the Netherlands 2002
Wetboek van Strafvordering
Wetboek van Strafrecht
Wet van 19 juni 2003, houdende regels met betrekking tot ernstige schendingen van het internationaal humanitair recht (Wet internationale misdrijven)
Rijkswet van 20 juni 2002 tot uitvoering van het Statuut van het Internationaal Strafhof met betrekking tot de samenwerking met en bijstand aan het Internationaal Strafhof en de tenuitvoerlegging van zijn vonnissen (Uitvoeringswet Internationaal Strafhof)

Overview

The Netherlands’ position as the Host State has particular bearing on the role the Netherlands plays in relation to the International Criminal Court. Past experience as Host State of the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia, has certainly helped in drafting national legislation implementing the Rome Statute. The Dutch ICC Implementation Act addresses all relevant aspects for an effective collaboration with the ICC, although not all aspects of other forms of cooperation envisaged in Article 93 of the Rome Statute are considered in the Act and the thorny issue of managing competing requests has been dealt with through a direct reference to the relevant Article in the Rome Statute. The Dutch International Crimes Act criminalises genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes in a manner consistent with the Rome Statute. Notably, however, the Netherlands have also integrated in this Act the grave breaches provided for in Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, to which the Netherlands is a State Party. With regard to immunities, the Netherlands has adopted the approach outlined by the International Court of Justice in the Yerodia case.

Coverage

View relevant provisions here.