What's happened
Hungary's government, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has initiated the process to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC), following an arrest warrant issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This decision could make Hungary the only EU country not part of the ICC, a move criticized by human rights advocates.
What's behind the headline?
Implications of Hungary's Withdrawal
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Political Motivations: Hungary's decision appears to align with Orbán's long-standing support for Netanyahu and criticism of the ICC, which he labeled a 'political court.' This move may strengthen Hungary's ties with Israel and other non-ICC nations.
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Legal Obligations: Despite initiating withdrawal, Hungary remains obligated to cooperate with the ICC for ongoing cases, including the arrest warrant for Netanyahu. This complicates Hungary's legal stance and could lead to international scrutiny.
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Impact on the ICC: Hungary's exit, if finalized, would highlight the challenges the ICC faces in enforcing its mandates, especially among member states that prioritize political alliances over legal obligations.
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Regional Dynamics: As the first EU country to withdraw, Hungary's decision could embolden other nations to reconsider their commitments to international legal frameworks, potentially undermining global justice efforts.
What the papers say
The Independent reported that Hungary's withdrawal would make it only the third country to leave the ICC, following Burundi and the Philippines. AP News emphasized that Hungary's decision comes after Netanyahu's visit, during which Orbán justified not arresting him despite the ICC warrant. The New York Times highlighted the ICC's reliance on member states for enforcement, noting that powerful nations like the U.S. and Israel are not members. The Times of Israel pointed out Orbán's criticism of the ICC's legitimacy, framing Hungary's withdrawal as a political maneuver in support of Israel.
How we got here
Hungary signed the Rome Statute in 1999 and ratified it in 2001, committing to cooperate with the ICC. The court, established in 2002, prosecutes war crimes and crimes against humanity. Recently, it issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu, prompting Hungary's withdrawal announcement.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of Hungary leaving the ICC?
- How does this affect international law?
- What was the ICC's response to Hungary's decision?
More on these topics
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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The International Criminal Court is an intergovernmental organization and international tribunal that sits in The Hague, Netherlands.
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Hungary is a country in Central Europe. Spanning 93,030 square kilometres in the Carpathian Basin, it borders Slovakia to the north, Ukraine to the northeast, Romania to the east and southeast, Serbia to the south, Croatia and Slovenia to the southwest, a
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Viktor Mihály Orbán is a Hungarian politician who has been Prime Minister of Hungary since 2010; he was also Prime Minister from 1998 to 2002.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is a Russian politician and former intelligence officer who has served as President of Russia since 2012, previously holding the position from 1999 until 2008.
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Rodrigo Roa Duterte KGCR, also known as Digong and Rody, is a Filipino politician who is the 16th and current president of the Philippines and the first from Mindanao to hold the office. He is the chairperson of PDP–Laban, the ruling political party.