Hungary’s ICC Withdrawal and Human Rights Reactions

In April 2025, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced the country’s intention to withdraw from the International Criminal Court (ICC) and simultaneously invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is under ICC prosecution, to visit Hungary without fear of arrest. This move triggered widespread reactions from international organizations and human rights activists.
Amnesty International condemned Hungary’s actions, describing them as an attempt to undermine international justice and a violation of the country’s legal obligations. Agnès Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, stated, “By welcoming Netanyahu, Hungary is effectively endorsing the genocide in Gaza,” adding that this visit must not turn into a “tour of impunity” in other ICC member states.
The European Union, whose 27 members were all part of the ICC prior to Hungary’s withdrawal announcement, called the move a “breach of international commitments” and “damaging to Hungary’s reputation,” stressing that member states must respect the Court’s rulings. The EU’s foreign policy chief labeled the decision “political” and “unlawful,” emphasizing the need to enforce ICC orders.
Human Rights Watch also issued a statement, condemning Hungary’s decision to exit the ICC as an effort to weaken international justice and promote impunity for officials accused of war crimes. The organization underscored that ICC warrants, whether against Vladimir Putin or Benjamin Netanyahu, send a vital message that no one is above the law.
Some countries, including Spain, Ireland, and the Netherlands, declared they would arrest Netanyahu if he entered their territories. In contrast, Germany and France adopted ambiguous stances, speaking of “respect for the ICC” without clarifying whether they would detain Netanyahu if he visited.
From the perspective of human rights activists, Hungary’s invitation to Netanyahu and its withdrawal from the ICC not only violate its international obligations but also represent an attempt to undermine international judicial institutions and promote impunity for officials accused of war crimes. This behavior could erode global trust in the international justice system and set a precedent for other nations to disregard ICC rulings.
Many experts view this action as a serious challenge to human rights principles and international justice, urging a decisive response from the global community to preserve the credibility and effectiveness of international judicial institutions.