Hungary has officially withdrawn from the International Criminal Court (ICC). The decision, approved with 134 votes in favor, 37 against, and 7 abstentions, makes Hungary the first European nation to leave the court. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó will formally notify the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
The Hungarian government, led by Viktor Orbán, initially announced its intention to withdraw in April, coinciding with a visit from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The government views the ICC as a "political body." The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu in November 2024, alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.
As an ICC member, Hungary was expected to execute the arrest warrant during Netanyahu's April visit, but Orbán refused, stating that Hungarian law does not enforce ICC decisions. Previously, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2023. Burundi and the Philippines are the only other countries to have withdrawn from the ICC.