Hungary Officially Withdraws from the International Criminal Court
Hungary has announced its decision to exit the International Criminal Court (ICC), marking a significant shift in its stance on international justice. The move, confirmed by a senior official within Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s administration, coincides with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary, a leader currently facing an ICC arrest warrant.
Orban extended an invitation to Netanyahu as soon as the ICC issued its arrest warrant last November, asserting that the ruling would hold no legal weight in Hungary. The ICC’s decision to target Netanyahu, citing alleged war crimes during the Israel-Hamas conflict, has been met with strong opposition from Israel, which denounced the move as politically motivated.
During a joint press conference, Orban emphasized that the ICC had strayed from its intended purpose, calling it a "political court" rather than an impartial judicial body. Netanyahu, in turn, praised Hungary’s "bold and principled" stance, calling it an essential step for democratic nations standing against what he termed a "corrupt organization."
Hungary, a founding ICC member and the first European Union nation to leave the court, must now submit an official notification to the UN Secretary-General to finalize its withdrawal. Per Article 127 of the Rome Statute, the exit will take effect one year after the notification is received.
Critics argue that Hungary’s withdrawal undermines international justice and sets a dangerous precedent, potentially encouraging other nations to challenge or abandon their ICC commitments based on political alliances. Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock voiced strong disapproval, calling Hungary’s decision a "bad day for international criminal law" and reaffirming that the Rome Statute applies to all EU members.
The ICC, responsible for prosecuting genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, has 125 member states. However, some major global powers—including the United States, Russia, China, and North Korea—never joined the court, arguing that it infringes on national sovereignty. Israel is also not a signatory, but the ICC ruled in 2021 that it holds jurisdiction over the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza.
Hungary’s decision to withdraw from the ICC highlights its broader foreign policy strategy under Orban, which includes fostering strong ties with Israel and maintaining a critical stance toward international institutions perceived as overreaching.
Despite Hungary’s departure, the ICC maintains its legal framework and operational capacity with broad international support. The court has faced similar challenges in the past and continues to function, albeit under scrutiny from various governments.
As Netanyahu’s European visit unfolds, the global debate over the ICC’s role, jurisdiction, and impartiality intensifies. With Hungary setting a new precedent, will other nations follow suit, or will this decision remain an isolated political maneuver? The coming months will likely reveal whether this is a one-time occurrence or the beginning of a larger shift in international law enforcement.