EU Country Declares Exit from ICC
Hungary plans to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), with Prime Minister Viktor Orban labeling the court a “political tool.” This announcement comes during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the EU and NATO...
TroibNews 
Hungary plans to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), with Prime Minister Viktor Orban labeling the court a “political tool.”
This announcement comes during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the EU and NATO member state. Netanyahu is wanted by the Hague-based court for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity relating to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza.
At a joint press conference with Netanyahu on Thursday, Orban remarked that the ICC has lost its impartiality and has transformed into “a political court.” He stated that Hungary, as a “democratic state governed by the rule of law, cannot participate in this.”
Netanyahu commended Hungary for its “brave step” in leaving the UN court, calling it “a corrupt organization” that focuses on prosecuting Israel rather than terrorists.
Earlier on Thursday, Gergely Gulyas, Orban’s chief of staff, announced that Budapest would officially initiate the withdrawal process from the ICC that day “in accordance with [the] constitutional and international legal framework.” Hungary signed the Rome Statute, which establishes the ICC's authority, in 1999 and ratified it two years later.
Orban invited Netanyahu to Hungary just one day after the Hague-based court issued an arrest warrant against him, assuring that the ICC’s ruling would “have no effect in Hungary,” stating they would not adhere to its contents.
The ICC does not possess its own police force and depends on member states for the detention and transfer of suspects. Currently, 123 countries recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction.
In February, the administration of former US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the ICC and its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, for pursuing charges against Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The United States is not a party to the ICC, and other non-participating nations include Russia, China, and Israel.
In March 2023, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova regarding the alleged illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Moscow labeled the order “null and void,” asserting that the children had been evacuated for their safety and could be returned to their parents or guardians upon request.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
This announcement comes during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the EU and NATO member state. Netanyahu is wanted by the Hague-based court for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity relating to Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza.
At a joint press conference with Netanyahu on Thursday, Orban remarked that the ICC has lost its impartiality and has transformed into “a political court.” He stated that Hungary, as a “democratic state governed by the rule of law, cannot participate in this.”
Netanyahu commended Hungary for its “brave step” in leaving the UN court, calling it “a corrupt organization” that focuses on prosecuting Israel rather than terrorists.
Earlier on Thursday, Gergely Gulyas, Orban’s chief of staff, announced that Budapest would officially initiate the withdrawal process from the ICC that day “in accordance with [the] constitutional and international legal framework.” Hungary signed the Rome Statute, which establishes the ICC's authority, in 1999 and ratified it two years later.
Orban invited Netanyahu to Hungary just one day after the Hague-based court issued an arrest warrant against him, assuring that the ICC’s ruling would “have no effect in Hungary,” stating they would not adhere to its contents.
The ICC does not possess its own police force and depends on member states for the detention and transfer of suspects. Currently, 123 countries recognize the ICC’s jurisdiction.
In February, the administration of former US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on the ICC and its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, for pursuing charges against Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The United States is not a party to the ICC, and other non-participating nations include Russia, China, and Israel.
In March 2023, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova regarding the alleged illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia. Moscow labeled the order “null and void,” asserting that the children had been evacuated for their safety and could be returned to their parents or guardians upon request.
Lucas Dupont for TROIB News
