ICC Watchdog Urges Chad and Venezuela to Reverse Withdrawal Decisions

The International Criminal Court's oversight body has urged Chad and Venezuela to abandon plans to withdraw from the institution, warning that their departures could weaken the global fight against impunity.

In a statement released Friday in The Hague, the Assembly of States Parties said it had noted the moves by both countries “with concern” and called on them to remain committed members, raising any disagreements through dialogue within the assembly rather than leaving entirely.

The call comes as the ICC faces its most serious wave of withdrawals since its founding in 2002. Five countries have announced plans to leave the court since last year, while the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a campaign to curb the court's powers.

Chad announced its withdrawal on July 27, citing the court's uneven record and bias toward Africa. It noted that of the seven suspects currently held by the ICC, six are linked to African cases.

Venezuela gave similar reasons three days earlier, when Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia told the United Nations that the decision, issued by interim President Delcy Rodriguez, was “firm and irrevocable,” and accused the court of geographical bias toward Africa and Latin America.

Under the Rome Statute, a country that withdraws needs one year to officially register its departure and does not erase obligations incurred while it was a member, nor halt ongoing cases. That means the ICC's long-running investigation into Venezuela could continue regardless of the decision.

Chad and Venezuela join Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, which have declared their departure from the court since last year.

The latest withdrawals come amid increased pressure from the Trump administration, which has vowed a “whole-of-government” effort to “systematically dismantle” the ICC.

The White House and U.S. State Department have cited the ICC's arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged war crimes related to the genocidal war in Gaza, as well as the court's investigation into actions of foreign forces, including U.S. soldiers and intelligence officers in Afghanistan, as motivations for the campaign.

Chad's government said its decision came after a direct phone call from a senior U.S. diplomat who urged the country to reconsider its membership, while President Trump has pledged a campaign to protect Netanyahu and allied officials.

This pressure coincides with the dismissal of ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan over allegations of sexual misconduct, raising doubts about the court's resilience.

Analysts say the ICC's future may depend on whether the remaining members continue to engage or let the court wither from lack of attention.