Hungary considers exiting International Criminal Court amidst US sanctions
The Hungarian Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, wrote on Saturday that his country is "considering leaving" the International Criminal Court. This is due to the sanctions imposed by Donald Trump.
The Hungarian Foreign Minister, Péter Szijjártó, announced that Hungary is considering leaving the International Criminal Court (ICC). This decision is a response to the American sanctions imposed on the ICC by US President Donald Trump. Szijjártó stated that "the actions of the ICC have become seriously politicised," which has discredited the international justice system.
Although Hungary is a member of the ICC, the Rome Statute, which establishes the court, has not been ratified in the country due to it being considered unconstitutional. In the past, authorities in Budapest declared that they would not arrest leaders wanted by the ICC, such as Vladimir Putin or Benjamin Netanyahu, if they come to Hungary.
Szijjártó announced a reassessment of Hungary’s participation in the ICC following a telephone conversation with Israeli minister Gideon Saar. "Hungary is reassessing its participation in this organisation," he wrote on Facebook.
US sanctions against ICC
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order for sanctions on the ICC and individuals supporting this institution in prosecuting Americans and Israeli government representatives.
The sanctions are a response to the arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the conflict in the Gaza Strip. Szijjártó praised this decision, stating that "the ICC has recently turned into a biased political tool."
