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Hungary’s parliament passed a bill that begins the country’s formal withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC). This move has drawn sharp international criticism and stirred controversy over its timing. The bill, approved on Tuesday by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party, sets off a one-year departure process under Article 127 of the Rome Statute, the treaty that governs the ICC.
The decision follows a high-profile visit to Budapest by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for whom the ICC recently issued an arrest warrant. Netanyahu faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with Israel’s military operations in Gaza, particularly for attacks on civilians and the obstruction of humanitarian aid. While Hungary did not directly cite the warrant in its legislation, critics point to the timing as evidence that Orbán’s government intends to avoid complying with its obligation to arrest Netanyahu if he enters Hungarian territory.
Orbán defended the move in a social media post, stating that Hungary rejects “politically motivated indictments targeting sovereign nations and leaders who defend their people.” He emphasized Hungary’s commitment to supporting its allies, further fueling concerns that the withdrawal is aimed at shielding Netanyahu. The ICC lists Netanyahu as a defendant on its website, and under the Rome Statute, Hungary is currently obligated to cooperate with the court, including executing arrest warrants, until its withdrawal becomes effective.
Amnesty International has condemned the decision, warning that it undermines the global fight against impunity for serious crimes. In March, the organization had called on Hungary to arrest and surrender Netanyahu, underscoring the country’s legal responsibility as a state party to the Rome Statute. With this bill, Hungary becomes the first EU member state to initiate withdrawal from the ICC, raising alarms in Brussels about Hungary’s growing resistance to international legal norms and institutions.
Legal experts note that Hungary must formally notify the UN Secretary-General to begin the one-year withdrawal countdown. During this period, the country remains legally bound to the court’s jurisdiction for crimes committed while it was a member. The decision not only isolates Hungary within the EU but also sets a concerning precedent for other countries that may seek to evade ICC obligations for political reasons.
Hungary’s departure could impact its international reputation and relationships within the EU. Critics argue that the move signals a troubling retreat from accountability and international justice, motivated more by political alliances than legal principles. While Orbán’s government frames the decision as a defense of national sovereignty, the broader implications suggest a weakening of multilateral efforts to prosecute the world’s most serious crimes. Hungary’s withdrawal, though not yet finalized, represents a significant and controversial turning point in the international legal order.
The post Hungary moves to exit ICC amid Netanyahu arrest warrant controversy appeared first on JURIST - News.
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The decision follows a high-profile visit to Budapest by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for whom the ICC recently issued an arrest warrant. Netanyahu faces charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with Israel’s military operations in Gaza, particularly for attacks on civilians and the obstruction of humanitarian aid. While Hungary did not directly cite the warrant in its legislation, critics point to the timing as evidence that Orbán’s government intends to avoid complying with its obligation to arrest Netanyahu if he enters Hungarian territory.
Orbán defended the move in a social media post, stating that Hungary rejects “politically motivated indictments targeting sovereign nations and leaders who defend their people.” He emphasized Hungary’s commitment to supporting its allies, further fueling concerns that the withdrawal is aimed at shielding Netanyahu. The ICC lists Netanyahu as a defendant on its website, and under the Rome Statute, Hungary is currently obligated to cooperate with the court, including executing arrest warrants, until its withdrawal becomes effective.
Amnesty International has condemned the decision, warning that it undermines the global fight against impunity for serious crimes. In March, the organization had called on Hungary to arrest and surrender Netanyahu, underscoring the country’s legal responsibility as a state party to the Rome Statute. With this bill, Hungary becomes the first EU member state to initiate withdrawal from the ICC, raising alarms in Brussels about Hungary’s growing resistance to international legal norms and institutions.
Legal experts note that Hungary must formally notify the UN Secretary-General to begin the one-year withdrawal countdown. During this period, the country remains legally bound to the court’s jurisdiction for crimes committed while it was a member. The decision not only isolates Hungary within the EU but also sets a concerning precedent for other countries that may seek to evade ICC obligations for political reasons.
Hungary’s departure could impact its international reputation and relationships within the EU. Critics argue that the move signals a troubling retreat from accountability and international justice, motivated more by political alliances than legal principles. While Orbán’s government frames the decision as a defense of national sovereignty, the broader implications suggest a weakening of multilateral efforts to prosecute the world’s most serious crimes. Hungary’s withdrawal, though not yet finalized, represents a significant and controversial turning point in the international legal order.
The post Hungary moves to exit ICC amid Netanyahu arrest warrant controversy appeared first on JURIST - News.
Continue reading...
Note: We don't have any responsibilities about this news. Its been posted here by Feed Reader and we had no controls and checking on it. And because News posted here will be deleted automatically after 21 days, threads are closed so that no one spend time to post and discuss here. You can always check the source and discuss in their site.