Hungary’s announcement on Thursday that it would withdraw from the International Criminal Court drew attention to the judicial body and raised questions about its reach.
The government of Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced its decision to withdraw just hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel arrived for a visit.
The court has issued a warrant for Mr. Netanyahu’s arrest on accusations of “intentionally and knowingly” depriving Gaza’s population of food, water, fuel and medicine. Mr. Netanyahu’s office rejected what it called “absurd and false accusations.”
Here is what to know about the court and its efforts to enforce justice internationally.
About the court and its reach
What is the I.C.C.?
The I.C.C., established under a 1998 treaty, is the world’s highest criminal court.
It has the jurisdiction to investigate and try people for what it describes as “the gravest crimes of concern” to the world: war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. But the court cannot enforce its rulings and relies on its member states to detain people who are accused of crimes.
The court draws its jurisdiction from the Rome Statute, a treaty ratified by 125 countries. The statute formally commits its signatories to arrest a wanted person who enters their soil, but members do not always comply.