The Assembly of States Parties has urged Chad and Venezuela to rescind their withdrawal notifications from the International Criminal Court, saying departures could weaken the global fight against impunity. The appeals come amid the biggest wave of exits since the Rome Statute took effect, with five countries announcing plans to leave since last year. Under the Rome Statute, withdrawals take one year to take effect and do not halt ongoing investigations. Analysts say the court's future depends on whether remaining members remain engaged to defend its mandate.
ICC Oversight Urges Chad and Venezuela to Reverse Withdrawals, Warns of Risk to Global Justice
A bystander photographs the ICC logo outside the court’s headquarters in The Hague [File: John Thys/AFP]
The Assembly of States Parties, the oversight body for the International Criminal Court (ICC), has urged Chad and Venezuela to rescind their notifications of withdrawal, warning that such departures could weaken global efforts to hold perpetrators accountable.
In a statement issued from The Hague, the assembly said it had noted both governments' actions "with concern" and encouraged them to remain engaged members. The body recommended that any grievances be pursued through dialogue within the assembly rather than by leaving the court.
A Wave of Exits
The appeal comes as the ICC confronts its most serious wave of departures since the Rome Statute entered into force in 2002. Five countries have announced intentions to leave since last year: Chad, Venezuela, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. The moves follow a sustained campaign by the Trump administration aimed at curbing the court's authority.
Chad and Venezuela's Reasons
Chad notified the court of its intent to withdraw on July 27, arguing the ICC's record was uneven and biased against Africa. The Chadian government highlighted that six of the seven suspects currently in ICC custody are connected to African cases.
Venezuela made its announcement three days earlier. Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia told the United Nations that Interim President Delcy Rodríguez had ordered a "firm and irrevocable" withdrawal, accusing the court of geographic bias against Africa and Latin America.
"We note these notifications with concern," the Assembly said, urging continued membership and internal dialogue to address disputes.
Procedural Effects And Ongoing Cases
Under the Rome Statute, a notification of withdrawal takes one year to take formal effect and does not erase obligations incurred while a state remains a party. Withdrawal also does not halt investigations or prosecutions already under way — meaning the ICC's long-running probe into alleged crimes in Venezuela can continue despite the notice.
Pressure And Institutional Strain
The recent exits have coincided with pressure from the Trump administration, which pledged a "whole-of-government" effort to challenge the ICC's jurisdiction and reach. U.S. officials have pointed to the court's recent actions — including arrest warrants related to alleged war crimes in Gaza and investigations into foreign forces' conduct in Afghanistan — as drivers of their campaign.
Chad said its decision followed a phone call from a senior U.S. diplomat urging reconsideration, and former President Trump has publicly framed the campaign as intended to protect allied officials targeted by the court.
The pressure on the ICC has also come amid leadership turmoil: the court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, recently left office amid allegations of sexual misconduct, an episode analysts say has deepened concerns about the institution's resilience.
What Comes Next
Analysts warn that the ICC's future may hinge on whether remaining member states remain actively engaged and defend the court's mandate, or whether attrition and neglect allow its authority to erode. The Assembly's appeal is an effort to keep the court's supporters at the table while disputes are resolved within established mechanisms.
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