Human Rights Watch (HRW) has issued a call for Hungarian authorities to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he enters Hungary to attend the upcoming Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on March 21. This follows an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on November 1, 2024, for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes in the Gaza Strip. Hungary’s previous failure to detain Netanyahu in April 2025 led to an official finding of non-compliance by the ICC.
Alice Autin, an international justice researcher for HRW, has emphasized the repercussions of Hungary’s non-compliance for Palestinian victims, pointing out that by ignoring its obligations, Hungary further entrenches impunity for serious crimes. Despite its decision to withdraw from the ICC, Hungary remains a member and is still required to arrest individuals wanted by the court. This issue raises broader concerns about Hungary’s adherence to the values of the European Union (EU).
HRW has criticized the EU for not taking adequate action against Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s policies, urging EU leaders to press Hungary to fulfill its ICC commitments. The EU Treaty’s Article 7 allows for procedures to assess risks to fundamental EU values, including the rule of law and justice. The European Parliament initiated an Article 7 procedure against Hungary in 2018, and HRW argues that Hungary’s ICC withdrawal should further influence this assessment. Potential actions include proceedings to determine if Hungary has infringed EU law.
Autin warns of the dangerous message silence and inaction could send, arguing that by hosting Netanyahu, Orbán’s government risks signaling tacit support for the Israeli government’s alleged atrocities. During Netanyahu’s 2025 visit, Orbán announced Hungary’s ICC withdrawal, reaffirming his support for Israel. According to Article 127 of the Rome Statute, the ICC’s founding document, withdrawal becomes effective one year after notifying the UN Secretary-General; Hungary sent this notification on June 2, 2025.
Under Orbán’s leadership since 2010, Hungary has undergone significant legal and electoral restructuring, with increasing reports of restrictions on media freedom and civil rights. His policies have also faced accusations of discrimination against LGBTQ+ communities and undermining women’s rights. HRW highlights that Orbán often bypasses Parliament by declaring states of emergency, ruling unchecked.
These events unfold amid ongoing US-Israeli military actions in the region that have attracted international condemnation. The UN’s human rights chief has condemned Israeli strikes on Iran, and similar military actions in Lebanon have been described by the UN as potential war crimes. Relevant details about these incidents have appeared in various outlets, underscoring the complex geopolitical backdrop against which HRW has voiced its concerns regarding Hungary’s actions.
The call for Hungary to arrest Netanyahu is described in more detail here.