An intergovernmental tribunal seated in The Hague, established by the Rome Statute in 2002.
On March 21-22, 2026, US President Donald Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding Iran fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face destruction of its energy infrastructure, starting with the largest power plant. Iran responded by threatening retaliation against US-linked energy and desalination facilities. The conflict has escalated with missile strikes on Israel and Gulf states, disrupting global oil supplies and raising prices.
Hungary has announced it will halt its planned withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC). Prime Minister Magyar states that Hungary will remain a member and will detain Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu if he enters the country, due to an ICC arrest warrant over war crimes in Gaza. This decision follows Magyar's election victory and his invitation to Netanyahu for a national event.
The ICC has confirmed charges against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity related to his deadly "war on drugs". Judges have found substantial grounds to believe Duterte ordered murders and attempted murders during his terms as mayor and president. The trial will proceed despite his defense claiming mental unfitness. Meanwhile, El Salvador is conducting a mass trial of 486 alleged gang members accused of over 47,000 crimes under President Bukele's crackdown.
The Venice Biennale will refrain from awarding prizes to artists from countries whose leaders face ICC charges, impacting Russia and Israel. The decision aligns with the festival's commitment to human rights and the legacy of curator Koyo Kouoh, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The ICC has ordered reparations funds to be paid by the Trust Fund for Victims for Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz’s crimes, prioritizing socio-economic support, education, and psychological help for women and girls affected by Timbuktu’s 2012 rule of terror; the fund will implement plans by next January, with most victims eligible across Mali.
The Venice Biennale is reopening Russia’s pavilion for the first time since 2022 amid protests and a mass jury resignation over entries from states facing ICC charges. The international jury has resigned, and the festival is facing scrutiny from the EU and Italy as debates over artistic neutrality and politics intensify.
The 61st Venice Biennale has opened with protests, strikes and the international jury's resignation over the organisers' decision to allow Russia and Israel to participate. Dozens of pavilions have closed temporarily, the jury has quit, and visitors will vote for awards after organisers cancelled jury prizes.
Spain has moved to shield international justice amid US sanctions on ICC officials, urging the EU to expand the Blocking Statute to defend the ICC and UN actions in Gaza. Prime minister Pedro Sánchez has also called for measures within the EU-Israel framework and signed a declaration on South Africa’s genocide case at the ICJ.
Israel has approved new legislation to try Oct. 7 attackers in a special military court, with a livestreamed tribunal, three-judge panels, and possible death sentences for genocide or related crimes. The law expands to include others charged with crimes against the Jewish people, war crimes and crimes against humanity, and bars prisoner exchanges for those convicted. Trials will be public, with remotely participating defendants and an appeals process.
Israeli settlers have been attacking Palestinians across the West Bank, displacing communities, injuring and killing civilians and vandalising property; Israeli authorities have charged at least one suspected attacker, while the ICC has been preparing arrest-warrant applications against Israeli ministers for alleged crimes including forced displacement and apartheid. (As of 24 May 2026.)
The US Treasury has listed UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese under an "International Criminal Court-related Designation Removal" after a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking earlier sanctions. The Trump administration has appealed and the State Department has said it intends to restore her designation if the court reverses the injunction.
The U.S. Treasury has removed sanctions on UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, following a federal judge’s injunction blocking measures tied to her criticisms of Israel’s Gaza war. The action affects Albaneze and related designations, and comes after parallel court rulings that protect free speech related to her UN work.
Russia has named Yana Lantratova as human rights ombudswoman, succeeding Tatiana Moskalkova. Her nomination is backed by the Kremlin-aligned United Russia party. Independent observers describe her as a new, younger figure within the system. The appointment follows scrutiny over alleged involvement in transferring Ukrainian children during occupation.
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has said he was informed of an ICC arrest-warrant request and has ordered the immediate evacuation of the Palestinian Bedouin community Khan al-Ahmar. The ICC has not confirmed any new warrants; Israeli security bodies and courts will determine if and when the order takes effect.
The International Criminal Court has begun pretrial hearings for Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri, a Libyan former militia commander accused of 17 counts of crimes against humanity and war crimes linked to detention centres in Mitiga prison near Tripoli between 2015 and 2020. The proceedings will determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to a full trial.
Israel has intercepted the Global Sumud flotilla in international waters and detained about 430 activists. National security minister Itamar Ben‑Gvir has posted footage showing bound activists kneeling while he taunts them; the video has provoked condemnation from multiple governments, Israeli ministers and rights groups, and rapid deportations of the detainees.
Palestinian Bedouin community Khan al-Ahmar faces a looming evacuation order after Israel’s far-right finance minister Smotrich has said he is coordinating steps to expel residents, pending cabinet approval. He claims the ICC is seeking an arrest warrant, a claim denied by the ICC; residents fear demolition and displacement amid broader settlement expansion in Area C.
The Philippine civilian Truth and Reconciliation Commission has launched to document killings in Duterte’s anti-drug crackdown, which ICC warrants target Duterte ally Ronald Dela Rosa and others. The commission aims to collect testimonies, produce an evidence-based record, and steer accountability, healing, and reform.
Since late May, the EU and several Western allies have imposed travel bans, asset freezes and targeted national sanctions on Israeli settlers, settler organisations and some far-right ministers over record settlement expansion and rising settler violence in the West Bank. Britain, France, Canada, Norway, Australia, New Zealand and others are coordinating measures to disrupt financing for extremist settler groups.
France has barred Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir from entering its territory, citing his actions toward passengers on the Global Sumud Flotilla. The decision comes amid global reaction to a video showing Ben-Gvir taunting flotilla detainees, which drew condemnation from foreign leaders and even Netanyahu’s coalition partner.
Canada has pressed Israel for an independent investigation into the mistreatment of activists aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla. Ottawa has also reaffirmed its opposition to Israeli settlement expansion and West Bank violence, amid reports of abuse and detentions in international waters.
Hungary has moved to rescind its withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, a change driven by a new government that has submitted fast-track legislation to rejoin. Parliament has approved the measure, and it now awaits a presidential signature. The ICC had previously urged compliance after Hungary failed to arrest a wanted leader during a visit.
The International Criminal Court has charged former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity over the killings during his anti-drug crackdown. Duterte has waived attendance and remains in The Hague, with prosecutors detailing deaths that exceed thousands during 2016–2022. The court has noted health concerns but has allowed participation with adjusted sitting times.
The United States has reimposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, returning her to the ICC-related designation list after a brief removal that followed a federal judge’s injunction. The move comes as appeals processes continue to play out.
President Donald Trump has confirmed he angrily confronted Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a recent phone call over Israel's strikes in Lebanon, saying he told Netanyahu to stop. Trump has insisted the pair still have a strong relationship while US-mediated talks with Iran are continuing and fighting in Lebanon remains active.
The Times of Israel reports that a defamation suit against The New York Times is being considered, following a May article alleging sexual abuse by Israeli authorities in detention. Legal experts say any suit would be difficult, with US standards on defamation and potential discovery risk. Israel's government remains tight-lipped about the process.
Germany has failed to win a rotating United Nations Security Council seat, scoring 104 votes against Portugal's 134 and Austria's 131 in the General Assembly vote on 3–4 June 2026. The result is prompting sharp criticism at home and government statements that Russia and Germany's positions on Ukraine and Israel have cost votes.
Palestinian athletes, including Rand Halawani, are detained by Israeli authorities in Jerusalem after protests; some are released with house arrest as investigations continue. The Palestinian Football Association condemns the detentions as part of a broader pattern targeting Palestinian athletes, while international observers note ongoing rights concerns.
The ICCs oversight bureau has suspended Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan and referred him to disciplinary proceedings after finding he had committed serious misconduct. The bureau has sent the case to the Assembly of States Parties, which will hold a special session to decide whether to remove him; Khan denies wrongdoing and will challenge the decision.
President Donald Trump has intervened to stop a major Israeli strike on Iran and has publicly rebuked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for continuing heavy operations in Lebanon. The intervention has strained a once-close US–Israeli relationship and has complicated US-led negotiations for a ceasefire and a limited nuclear agreement with Tehran. Tensions have erupted during talks to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ahead of Israeli elections.
Kenya is weighing formal investigations into RSF crimes abroad under universal jurisdiction, following a 12-victim complaint detailing torture, sexual violence and killings around Khartoum between 2023 and 2025. The filing marks a historic use of Kenya’s legal framework and could set a precedent for accountability beyond borders.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar has unveiled "Operation Cleansing Fire," a package of constitutional, judicial and institutional reforms designed to remove Viktor Orbán’s allies, create a new anti‑corruption office and replace President Tamás Sulyok. Magyar is racing to meet EU rule‑of‑law milestones that would unlock €16.4bn in frozen funds and is preparing a September constitutional review and referendum.
Trump has announced a preliminary deal to end Iran’s war and is pursuing talks to halt hostilities in Ukraine and Lebanon. The breakthrough comes as the G7 meets in France, amid warnings over tariffs, NATO tensions and regional instability.
Bozizé is facing trial in Bangui in absentia for crimes by his security forces tied to Bossembele abuses; three former officers are in pre-trial detention. The Special Criminal Court is pursuing allegations of murder, torture and rape linked to the presidential guard and other security forces.
The Philippines’ Senate has shifted leadership ahead of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, with Sherwin Gatchalian securing the presidency of the chamber after a bloc allied with him gains a majority. The move follows months of intra-chamber discord tied to broader clashes between Duterte and Marcos and potential ICC actions.
Israel's election campaign intensifies as Netanyahu's governing coalition faces internal strains, coalition dissolution, and public scrutiny over the Gaza war and regional security. The race is set against Netanyahu's long tenure, an ICC warrant, and shifting U.S. ties, with polls suggesting potential changes in government.
Karim Khan has been suspended and faces a vote by ICC member states on his fate after authorities found “serious misconduct” related to allegations of inappropriate conduct with a female staffer. The Bar Standards Board has suspended him from practice, while the ICC oversight body has called for his removal. A July vote will determine whether he remains in office.
Niger has submitted a letter to the United Nations to begin the process of leaving the Rome Statute. The move follows earlier announcements by Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso to exit the ICC, amid a military coup and shifting alliances, including closer ties with Russia. The departure will take effect 12 months after UN receipt of the letter, with crimes committed before exit remaining under ICC jurisdiction. Recent attacks in Niamey underscore regional instability.