Live Updates: Zelensky Advocates for Long-Range Missiles in Key White House Meeting with Trump

Hungary is set to officially exit the International Criminal Court (ICC) on June 2, 2026. Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government has informed the United Nations about this decision. Until Hungary’s withdrawal takes effect, it still must adhere to the Rome Statute, meaning it must arrest individuals like Russian President Vladimir Putin if they enter Hungarian territory.

Putin’s arrest warrant stems from serious allegations of war crimes, specifically concerning the illegal deportation of children from Ukraine since the onset of the conflict in March 2023. Russia has denied these accusations and has labeled them as baseless.

The Hungarian government has criticized the ICC, claiming it is politically motivated. By leaving the ICC, Hungary becomes the first EU country to take such a step since the tribunal’s establishment in 2002. The Presidency of the Assembly of States Parties, which oversees the ICC, expressed disappointment, saying Hungary’s decision poses challenges to justice and weakens efforts against impunity.

Historically, the ICC has had trouble enforcing its warrants. For instance, South Africa did not arrest Sudan’s Omar al-Bashir during a visit in 2015, despite an active warrant for his arrest due to genocide and war crimes. Similar incidents occurred when Mongolia and Hungary chose not to detain Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during international visits, resulting in formal findings of “non-cooperation” from ICC judges. However, these situations did not lead to tangible consequences.

Experts say that when countries fail to enforce ICC warrants, it erodes the court’s authority and emboldens individuals facing serious allegations. Human rights organizations argue that such failures, often justified by claims of diplomatic immunity, damage the court’s credibility.

As global dynamics shift, the ICC’s struggle to assert its authority raises questions about international justice. The court relies heavily on member countries to carry out its orders, as it lacks independent enforcement power. In the wake of Hungary’s announcement, the international community watches closely, pondering how this might affect future accountability for human rights violations.

For more details, you can refer to the ICC’s official statements and reports on their website.



Source link