Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who is currently facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged attacks on Gaza, is scheduled to visit Hungary on Thursday, April 3. This visit is part of a four-day diplomatic tour. Despite Hungary being a founding member of the ICC, which obliges it to arrest individuals with outstanding warrants, calls have been made for Hungary to detain Netanyahu if he enters the country.
Netanyahu is expected to engage in discussions with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban before they hold a joint press conference at 10:00 a.m. local time. The visit has sparked significant controversy and international attention.
Human Rights Watch Calls for Action
In response to Netanyahu’s planned visit, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged Hungary to detain him. HRW emphasized Hungary’s legal obligation as an ICC member to cooperate in the arrest and surrender of individuals under ICC warrants, stating, “Hungary should prevent Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu from entering the country or arrest him if he enters.”
The organization underscored that the ICC relies on its member states for the execution of its warrants, as it lacks a police force of its own.
Despite the ICC’s actions, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has expressed a willingness to welcome Netanyahu. After the ICC issued arrest warrants in November 2024, Orban assured that Hungary would extend an invitation to Netanyahu, with a promise that the warrant would not be enforced during his stay. According to Orban’s Communications Office, Netanyahu’s official visit is scheduled for April 2-6 at the invitation of Prime Minister Orban.
ICC Member States’ Obligation
The ICC, on November 21, 2024, announced arrest warrants for both Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant on charges of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. According to Articles 86 and 87 of the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the court, ICC member states are obliged to cooperate with the court and enforce arrest warrants.
Article 89 further stipulates that if Netanyahu or Gallant travel to any ICC member state, the authorities in those countries must arrest them and facilitate their transfer to the Hague. Consequently, Netanyahu and Gallant face travel restrictions to 124 ICC member states, including the European Union, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, most Central and South American nations, and a majority of African countries.
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