The body overseeing the International Criminal Court (ICC) has urged Chad and Venezuela to abandon their decisions to withdraw from the institution, warning that such departures risk weakening the global fight against impunity.

The appeal from the Assembly of States Parties comes as the court faces its most significant wave of withdrawals since its establishment in 2002. Five nations have announced plans to leave the ICC since last year, coinciding with intensified efforts by the United States administration to curb the tribunal's authority.

In a statement released Friday from The Hague, the Assembly of States Parties expressed concern over the two countries' moves. It called on them to remain committed members and to address any grievances through dialogue within the assembly rather than by exiting the court.

The implications of these withdrawals extend to the broader landscape of international justice. The ICC's founding Rome Statute dictates that a withdrawal takes one year to become formally registered and does not absolve a state of its obligations during the interim period, nor does it halt ongoing investigations. This means the ICC's long-standing inquiry into Venezuela can proceed irrespective of the planned departure.

Chad announced its intention to withdraw on July 27, citing an uneven and African-biased record at the court, noting that six of the seven suspects currently in ICC custody are linked to African cases. Venezuela followed suit three days prior, with its Minister of Foreign Affairs stating the decision was "firm and irrevocable" and accusing the court of geographic bias against Africa and Latin America.

These latest exits join those of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, who announced their intentions to leave the court last year. The pressure on the ICC has been amplified by the administration of United States President Donald Trump, which has committed to a "whole-of-government" strategy to "systematically disable" the tribunal.

The White House and State Department have pointed to the ICC's arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on war crime charges related to the conflict in Gaza, as well as the court's investigation into the actions of foreign forces, including U.S. personnel, in Afghanistan, as key motivators for their stance.

Chad's government indicated that its decision followed a direct telephone call from a senior U.S. diplomat encouraging reconsideration of its membership. President Trump has also publicly stated that the campaign against the ICC is intended to shield Netanyahu and allied officials. The heightened pressure has occurred concurrently with the dismissal of the court's chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, amid allegations of sexual misconduct, further contributing to uncertainties surrounding the tribunal.