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Friday, Apr 04, 2025
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Hungary Announces Withdrawal from International Criminal Court During Netanyahu's Visit
The decision follows an ICC arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu related to allegations of war crimes.
Hungary's government has officially announced its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), a decision made public on Thursday coinciding with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's state visit to Hungary.
This action follows the ICC’s issuance of an arrest warrant for Netanyahu last year, citing alleged war crimes connected to Israel's military operations in Gaza.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a founding member of the ICC, stated that Hungary would not adhere to the court's ruling, which he characterized as 'brazen, cynical and completely unacceptable.' Orbán’s criticism of the ICC reflects a broader challenge to the court’s legitimacy, which he claims has deviated from impartial justice into a politically motivated entity.
Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary was marked by Orbán reaffirming Hungary’s alignment with Israel against perceived international biases.
During a joint news conference, Netanyahu expressed gratitude for Hungary’s stance, emphasizing the need for democracies to resist what he termed a 'corrupt organization.'
Hungary ratified the Rome Statute in 2001, establishing its commitment to the ICC, yet the applicable legal framework has not been enacted domestically.
Gergely Gulyas, Orbán’s chief of staff, noted the discrepancy between ratification and practical enforcement, indicating that no measures by the ICC had been integrated into Hungarian law.
As part of the planned withdrawal, the government intends to initiate the process shortly, which is expected to receive necessary parliamentary approval, as Orbán’s Fidesz party holds a significant majority.
The ICC, based in The Hague, has issued warrants against several Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, who it accuses of being implicated in war crimes amid ongoing violence in Gaza.
The court contends that their actions fall within a pattern of systematic attacks against civilians.
Since the onset of the current Israeli military campaign, Palestinian health authorities report over 50,000 fatalities in Gaza, following a previous Hamas-led assault on Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths.
The ICC has reiterated that its decisions are based on legal standards and that it is not within the purview of individual states to question its legal determinations.
Orbán had previously hinted at Hungary’s potential exit from the ICC, framing it within discussions related to U.S. sanctions against the court.
Concern over Hungary's withdrawal has been expressed by the leadership of the ICC, which has urged the nation to maintain its commitment to the Rome Statute.
This developing situation underscores growing tensions surrounding international legal accountability amid complex geopolitical conflicts.
This action follows the ICC’s issuance of an arrest warrant for Netanyahu last year, citing alleged war crimes connected to Israel's military operations in Gaza.
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a founding member of the ICC, stated that Hungary would not adhere to the court's ruling, which he characterized as 'brazen, cynical and completely unacceptable.' Orbán’s criticism of the ICC reflects a broader challenge to the court’s legitimacy, which he claims has deviated from impartial justice into a politically motivated entity.
Netanyahu’s visit to Hungary was marked by Orbán reaffirming Hungary’s alignment with Israel against perceived international biases.
During a joint news conference, Netanyahu expressed gratitude for Hungary’s stance, emphasizing the need for democracies to resist what he termed a 'corrupt organization.'
Hungary ratified the Rome Statute in 2001, establishing its commitment to the ICC, yet the applicable legal framework has not been enacted domestically.
Gergely Gulyas, Orbán’s chief of staff, noted the discrepancy between ratification and practical enforcement, indicating that no measures by the ICC had been integrated into Hungarian law.
As part of the planned withdrawal, the government intends to initiate the process shortly, which is expected to receive necessary parliamentary approval, as Orbán’s Fidesz party holds a significant majority.
The ICC, based in The Hague, has issued warrants against several Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, who it accuses of being implicated in war crimes amid ongoing violence in Gaza.
The court contends that their actions fall within a pattern of systematic attacks against civilians.
Since the onset of the current Israeli military campaign, Palestinian health authorities report over 50,000 fatalities in Gaza, following a previous Hamas-led assault on Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths.
The ICC has reiterated that its decisions are based on legal standards and that it is not within the purview of individual states to question its legal determinations.
Orbán had previously hinted at Hungary’s potential exit from the ICC, framing it within discussions related to U.S. sanctions against the court.
Concern over Hungary's withdrawal has been expressed by the leadership of the ICC, which has urged the nation to maintain its commitment to the Rome Statute.
This developing situation underscores growing tensions surrounding international legal accountability amid complex geopolitical conflicts.
