In a significant shift in foreign policy, Hungarian lawmakers on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly to cancel the country's withdrawal from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The move effectively halts an exit process initiated last year by the country's nationalist former premier, Viktor Orban.
The decision comes as Hungary undergoes a political transition following the landslide electoral victory of Peter Magyar in April. A pro-EU conservative, Magyar vowed to reverse the year-long exit process before the June 2 deadline. The parliament, consisting of 199 members, passed the repeal with 133 votes in favor, 37 against, and five abstentions.
The legislation, which was fast-tracked through the legislature on Monday, emphasizes the necessity of holding individuals accountable for the gravest international crimes to protect human rights and ensure international peace and security. The bill now awaits the signature of President Tamas Sulyok to officially become law.
The original push to leave the ICC began in April 2025 under the Orban administration. At the time, the government labeled the court as "political," a stance that coincided with a state visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During that visit, Hungary declined to execute an ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu, describing the warrant as "brazen." The ICC's 2024 warrant against the Israeli leader cited allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Under the new leadership, the outlook is changing. Peter Magyar has indicated that Hungary will execute ICC warrants against any individual, including Netanyahu, despite plans to invite him to Budapest later this year.
The ICC, based in The Hague and established in 2002, is backed by 125 member states. It serves as a court of last resort, prosecuting individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity when national courts are unwilling or unable to do so. To date, only Burundi and the Philippines have fully withdrawn from the tribunal.
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Hungary parliament votes to stop Orban-initiated exit from ICC
cgtn.com
