In a bold political move, Hungary has announced its decision to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), just as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives in Budapest for a diplomatic visit.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban had extended an invitation to Netanyahu last November, making it clear that Hungary would not enforce the ICC’s arrest warrant issued against him over alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Now, as the Israeli leader steps foot in Europe for the first time since the Israel-Gaza conflict erupted in 2023, Hungary’s exit from the ICC takes center stage.
Orban’s chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas, confirmed the withdrawal in a Facebook post, stating that the government had initiated the process in line with constitutional and international legal guidelines.
However, under ICC regulations, Hungary’s withdrawal will only take full effect a year after the official notice is submitted to the United Nations.
The ICC’s Global Struggles
Established in 2002 to prosecute individuals responsible for the world’s most serious crimes, the ICC has often faced resistance from powerful nations.
While backed by 125 member states, the court has struggled with enforcement and recognition, especially from major global players like the United States, Russia, China, and Israel, which do not recognize its jurisdiction.
Hungary, despite signing the Rome Statute in 1999 and ratifying it two years later, has long maintained that its constitutional framework does not bind it to ICC decisions.
Now, it follows in the footsteps of Burundi and the Philippines, the only two countries that have previously withdrawn from the court.
Political Reactions and Implications
The ICC has yet to respond to Hungary’s announcement, but the move is expected to stir diplomatic debates.
The withdrawal also comes amid a backdrop of growing criticism of the ICC from leaders like former U.S. President Donald Trump, who had imposed sanctions on the court for its investigations into American and Israeli actions.
As Hungary charts its own path, this decision signals a shift in international legal politics—one that could have far-reaching consequences.
Stay updated with the latest global news on NIGPOST!
Leave a Reply