24-Hour Update: Hungarian Gazette Publishes Withdrawal Repeal; Law Effective May 29 as Board of Peace Fund Remains Empty
Published: May 29, 2026
By: Zeeshan Khan
Reading time: 11 minutes
Category: UN / Human Rights / Legal
Note: May 29, 2026 – This is an update to the May 28, 2026 article: Sanctions Against UN Expert Formally Restored as Treasury Re-Designates Albanese – Board of Peace Runs Out of Funds, Plans First Gaza Visit
BUDAPEST / WASHINGTON / THE HAGUE – May 29, 2026 – One day after the Hungarian parliament voted to remain in the International Criminal Court, the legislation has been formally signed into law. President Tamás Sulyok and Speaker of Parliament Ágnes Forsthoffer signed the bill on May 28, 2026, and it was published in Thursday’s issue of the Hungarian Gazette. The law officially entered into force on May 29, 2026, completing Hungary’s formal reversal of its withdrawal from the Rome Statute.
This 24-hour update covers the finalization of Hungary’s ICC reversal, the unchanged status of sanctions against UN expert Francesca Albanese, the continued emptiness of the Board of Peace’s reconstruction fund, and the pending status of the D.C. Circuit’s full appeal.
The Essentials: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How (Last 24 Hours)
- Who: President Tamás Sulyok; Speaker of Parliament Ágnes Forsthoffer; the Hungarian parliament; Prime Minister Péter Magyar; the International Criminal Court (ICC); the U.S. Treasury Department; UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese; the Board of Peace; and the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.
- What: The legislation revoking Hungary’s withdrawal from the ICC has been signed by the president and speaker, published in the Hungarian Gazette, and entered into force. The sanctions against Francesca Albanese remain fully restored following Treasury’s May 27 re-designation. The Board of Peace’s reconstruction fund remains empty with zero dollars spent on rebuilding Gaza.
- When: The bill was signed on May 28, 2026. It was published in the May 28 issue of the Hungarian Gazette. The law entered into force on May 29, 2026. The Treasury re-designated Albanese on May 27, 2026.
- Where: Presidential palace and parliament (Budapest, Hungary); Treasury Department (Washington, D.C.); Board of Peace operations (Gaza/New York); D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals (Washington, D.C.).
- Why (Immediate Cause): The Hungarian legislation was signed to formalize Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s reversal of the previous Orbán government’s ICC withdrawal notification, which was set to take effect on June 2, 2026. The Treasury’s re-designation of Albanese implements the D.C. Circuit’s May 22 emergency stay.
- How (Mechanism): Under Hungarian law, legislation passed by parliament requires the signature of both the president and the speaker of parliament before being published in the official gazette. Once published, the law enters into force on the date specified (or the day after publication). The ICC withdrawal reversal is now complete and legally binding.
Specific Updates in the Last 24 Hours (May 28–29, 2026)
1. Hungary ICC Reversal Becomes Law – President and Speaker Sign Bill
On May 28, 2026, the legislation revoking Hungary’s withdrawal from the International Criminal Court was signed by both President Tamás Sulyok and Speaker of Parliament Ágnes Forsthoffer. The law was then published in Thursday’s issue of the Hungarian Gazette (Magyar Közlöny) and officially entered into force on May 29, 2026.
What the Law Does:
- Repeals the 2025 law on Hungary’s withdrawal from the ICC
- Re-establishes Hungary’s full participation in the Rome Statute
- Declares Hungary’s “commitment to the principles of justice, human dignity and international cooperation”
Explanatory Memorandum: The proposal “is not merely the reversal of an earlier decision contrary to the values of the international community, but also a declaration of commitment to the principles of justice.”
What This Means: Hungary has now formally and fully reversed its ICC withdrawal. The country will remain the only EU member state that is a party to the Rome Statute. The withdrawal that was set to take effect on June 2, 2026, has been legally nullified.
2. Parliamentary Vote Details Confirmed
The May 27 parliamentary vote results have been confirmed:
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Votes in favor | 133 |
| Votes against | 37 |
| Abstentions | 5 |
| Prime Minister’s position | Pushed the bill through parliament |
| Bill introduced by | Prime Minister Péter Magyar |
3. Sanctions Against Francesca Albanese Remain Fully Restored (Unchanged)
The U.S. Treasury Department’s May 27, 2026 re-designation of Francesca Albanese to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list remains in full effect. The sanctions were reported by multiple international news outlets on May 28-29, 2026.
Current Sanctions Status:
- Albanese is prohibited from entering the United States
- She cannot access U.S. banking systems
- She cannot engage in business with U.S.-based entities
- The Treasury’s action implements the D.C. Circuit’s May 22 emergency stay
International Coverage: Multiple international news outlets have reported on the restoration of sanctions as of May 28-29, 2026.
4. Full Appeal Remains Pending Before D.C. Circuit (Unchanged)
The D.C. Circuit’s May 22 ruling was a stay – a temporary measure – not a final decision on the merits of the case. The full appeal of Judge Leon’s injunction is still pending before the D.C. Circuit. The core constitutional question – whether a foreign national outside U.S. territory has First Amendment rights – remains unresolved. No ruling has been issued on the full appeal as of May 29, 2026.
5. Board of Peace Fund Remains Empty – No New Developments (Unchanged)
As of May 29, 2026, the Board of Peace’s reconstruction fund remains empty. Key facts from the May 28 article remain unchanged:
| Metric | Status |
|---|---|
| Member states pledged | $7 billion – NOT deposited |
| Trump administration pledged | $10 billion – NOT deposited |
| US dollars spent on reconstruction | ZERO |
| Morocco donation ($3M) | Went to JPMorgan account for operating expenses |
| UAE donation ($20M) | Went to JPMorgan account for operating expenses |
| Planned Gaza visit | Still awaiting IDF approval |
6. ICC Warrants: No New Warrants Issued (Unchanged)
No new ICC arrest warrants have been issued as of May 29, 2026. The ICC continues to deny that new warrants have been issued against Israeli officials beyond those for Netanyahu and Gallant. The Pre-Trial Chamber has not yet ruled on Prosecutor Khan’s May 2024 applications.
Comparison: Before (May 28 Article) and After (May 29 – Current)
| Issue | As of May 28, 2026 (Article) | As of May 29, 2026 (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| Hungary ICC status | Parliament voted 133 in favor; awaits president’s signature | LAW ENTERED INTO FORCE – President and speaker signed May 28; effective May 29 |
| Hungarian Gazette publication | Not specified | PUBLISHED – May 28 issue of Hungarian Gazette |
| Sanctions against Albanese | Fully restored – Treasury re-added May 27 | FULLY RESTORED – Unchanged; confirmed by multiple outlets |
| Board of Peace fund status | Empty – zero dollars deposited | EMPTY – Unchanged |
| Board of Peace Gaza visit | Planned; request submitted to IDF | PENDING – Still awaiting IDF approval |
| Full appeal before D.C. Circuit | PENDING – No ruling yet | PENDING – Unchanged |
| ICC warrants | No warrants issued | NO WARRANTS ISSUED – Unchanged |
Hungary ICC Reversal: Complete Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April 2025 | Orbán government announces intention to withdraw from ICC |
| (Earlier) | Withdrawal notification submitted; set to take effect June 2, 2026 |
| May 2026 | Péter Magyar elected prime minister |
| May 22, 2026 | New government announces reversal; will remain in ICC |
| May 27, 2026 | Parliament votes 133 in favor of remaining in ICC |
| May 28, 2026 | President Tamás Sulyok signs the bill |
| May 28, 2026 | Speaker Ágnes Forsthoffer signs the bill |
| May 28, 2026 | Law published in Hungarian Gazette (Magyar Közlöny) |
| May 29, 2026 | Law enters into force – reversal now complete |
Why This Matters (Updated for May 29)
These developments represent the completion of a significant diplomatic reversal and the consolidation of prior legal actions.
For Hungary and the ICC: The formal entry into force of the legislation means Hungary has legally and irrevocably reversed its withdrawal. The country remains the only EU member state that is a party to the Rome Statute. This is a significant victory for the court and for international criminal justice, as it maintains the ICC’s European footprint. The explanatory memorandum explicitly frames this as a “declaration of commitment to the principles of justice.”
For the Sanctions Case: The Treasury Department’s May 27 re-designation of Francesca Albanese remains in full effect. Multiple international news outlets have confirmed the restoration of sanctions. The full appeal still pending before the D.C. Circuit will determine the ultimate legality of the sanctions and the constitutional question of First Amendment rights for foreign nationals outside U.S. territory.
For Gaza Reconstruction: The Board of Peace’s situation remains unchanged from the May 28 article. The reconstruction fund is empty with zero dollars spent on rebuilding. The planned first visit to Gaza is still awaiting IDF approval. Pledged billions from member states and the Trump administration have not been deposited.
Arguments and Reactions (Updated for May 29)
Hungarian Government (Following President’s Signature)
Prime Minister Péter Magyar successfully pushed the bill through parliament and secured the president’s signature. The law is now in full effect. The government has framed the reversal as a “declaration of commitment to the principles of justice.”
Administration Position (Following Treasury Re-Designation – Unchanged)
The Treasury Department’s re-designation of Francesca Albanese remains in effect. A State Department spokesperson previously welcomed the Treasury action. The administration’s position remains that the sanctions are lawful and necessary for national security.
Board of Peace – Criticism Continues (Unchanged)
The revelation that the Board of Peace’s fund has run out of money with zero dollars spent on reconstruction continues to draw criticism. A senior congressional aide confirmed that “not one US dollar” has been spent on rebuilding Gaza, despite pledges totaling $17 billion.
Current Status Summary (As of May 29, 2026, 14:00 EST)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Has the Hungary ICC reversal law entered into force? | YES – President and speaker signed May 28; effective May 29 |
| Was the law published in the Hungarian Gazette? | YES – Published in May 28 issue |
| Has Hungary formally reversed its ICC withdrawal? | YES – Reversal is complete and legally binding |
| Will Hungary remain in the ICC? | YES – Remains the only EU member state in the ICC |
| Has Treasury re-added Albanese to the SDN list? | YES – May 27, 2026 – Unchanged from May 28 article |
| Have multiple news outlets confirmed the sanctions? | YES – International coverage as of May 28-29 |
| Has the Board of Peace fund received money? | NO – Still empty; zero dollars spent on reconstruction |
| Has the Board of Peace visited Gaza yet? | NO – Still awaiting IDF approval |
| Is the full appeal before D.C. Circuit resolved? | NO – Still pending; no ruling yet |
| Have new ICC warrants been issued? | NO – Unchanged |
What Happens Next (Updated for May 29)
Immediate term (days):
- The Board of Peace’s planned Gaza visit may proceed pending IDF approval – no announcement yet
- Further reporting may emerge on the empty fund and diverted donations
Short term (weeks to months):
- The D.C. Circuit will hear the full appeal and issue a final ruling on the legality of sanctions against Albanese
- The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber may rule on existing and potential warrant applications
- Congressional oversight of Board of Peace funding may intensify following the empty fund revelation
Long term (months to a year):
- Either party could appeal the D.C. Circuit’s final ruling to the Supreme Court
- The Board of Peace’s credibility may be further affected by the empty fund and planned visit
- Hungary’s formal ICC membership may influence other countries considering withdrawal
Sources
- The Budapest Times (May 28, 2026) – “Hungary reverses ICC exit decision” – President and Speaker signed bill; published in Gazette May 28; effective May 29; explanatory memorandum details
- The Guardian (May 27, 2026) – “Hungarian MPs vote to remain member of ICC” – Parliamentary vote details (133 in favor, 37 against, 5 abstentions)
- Il Globo (May 28, 2026) – “USA, nuove sanzioni contro la relatrice Onu Francesca Albanese” – Treasury re-designation confirmed
- The Jerusalem Post (May 27, 2026) – “US re-adds Francesca Albanese to sanctions list” – OFAC action confirmed
- Communications Daily (May 28, 2026) – “Appellate Court Allows US to Temporarily Reimpose Sanctions” – Full appeal pending
- Hungarian Gazette (Magyar Közlöny) – May 28, 2026 issue – Official publication of ICC withdrawal reversal law
- Previous article: Sanctions Against UN Expert Formally Restored as Treasury Re-Designates Albanese – Board of Peace Runs Out of Funds, Plans First Gaza Visit (The 5 Ws, May 28, 2026) – Baseline information on Treasury re-designation, Board of Peace empty fund, and Hungary parliamentary vote
The 5 W's 
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