The body overseeing the International Criminal Court has urged Chad and Venezuela to reverse their withdrawals, warning the moves risk undermining the global fight against impunity.
In a statement Friday from The Hague, the Assembly of States Parties said it noted the decisions “with concern” and called on both countries to remain members, stressing grievances should be addressed through dialogue within the assembly rather than by quitting.
The appeal comes amid the court’s most serious wave of departures since its 2002 founding, reports Al Jazeera.
Five nations have announced exits since last year, while the administration of US President Donald Trump has mounted a campaign to curb the tribunal’s authority.
Chad declared its withdrawal on 27 July, arguing the ICC’s record was uneven and biased against Africa, noting six of the seven suspects currently in custody are tied to African cases.
Venezuela followed three days earlier, with Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia telling the UN the decision, ordered by Interim President Delcy Rodriguez, was “firm and irrevocable” and accused the court of geographic bias against Africa and Latin America.
Under the Rome Statute, withdrawals take a year to take effect and do not erase obligations during that period or halt ongoing cases. The ICC’s investigation into Venezuela therefore continues.
Chad and Venezuela join Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, which announced departures last year. The latest exits coincide with sustained US pressure.
The Trump administration has pledged a “whole‑of‑government” effort to “systematically disable” the ICC, citing as motivation the arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on war crimes charges linked to Israel’s war in Gaza, and probes into foreign forces including US soldiers and intelligence agents in Afghanistan.
Chad’s government said its decision followed a direct call from a senior US diplomat urging reconsideration, while Trump himself insisted the campaign aimed to shield Netanyahu and allied officials.
The pressure has come alongside the dismissal of ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan over sexual misconduct allegations, deepening doubts about the court’s resilience.
Analysts warn the ICC’s future may hinge on whether remaining members stay engaged or allow the institution to weaken through neglect.
