Hungary Parliament Halts ICC Withdrawal, Keeps Membership

Hungary’s parliament voted on Wednesday to halt the country’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court, reversing a decision set in motion last year by the previous government of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. The vote ensures Hungary will remain a member of the Hague-based tribunal, which investigates and prosecutes genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

The bill to reverse the withdrawal was submitted on Monday by Prime Minister Péter Magyar and passed in a fast-track procedure ahead of a June 2 deadline, when the exit would have taken effect. Lawmakers voted 133 in favor, 37 against, with five abstentions. The legislation now goes to President Tamás Sulyok for his signature.

In the text of the bill, the government stated that maintaining international peace and protecting human rights requires holding perpetrators of the most serious international crimes accountable before an international judicial forum. It concluded that Hungary’s continued participation in the ICC statute is necessary to that end.

The move marks a significant shift in foreign policy. Last year, Orbán’s government announced Hungary would quit the ICC shortly after hosting Israeli...