Hungary to Remain in the International Criminal Court

Hungary’s parliament voted on Wednesday to cancel the country’s planned withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC), reversing a move initiated by Viktor Orban’s previous government.

According to Hungarian news outlet 24.hu, the legislation was backed by lawmakers from Prime Minister Peter Magyar’s ruling Tisza party, while Orban’s opposition Fidesz party voted against it. The decision will take effect the day after the law is formally promulgated.

The new Tisza government had already announced last week that it intended to halt the withdrawal process launched under the Orban administration. Magyar argued that continued ICC membership is essential for the protection of human rights and international law.

Orban’s government announced plans to leave the court in April 2025 following a visit to Budapest by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The ICC had previously issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on suspicion of war crimes and crimes against humanity, which would have required Hungary, as a member state, to take action.

Instead, the Orban administration chose to withdraw from the court, arguing that the ICC had become politicized.

(max)