The International Criminal Court (ICC) on Friday voted to remove its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, over findings of “serious misconduct and serious breach of duty”, nearly two years after allegations of sexual misconduct first surfaced. The decision comes as the Hague-based court faces mounting pressure from the United States, which has intensified its campaign against the institution.The ICC’s 125 member states approved Khan’s removal by a large majority during a meeting of the Assembly of States Parties, the court’s governing body. Khan, a British barrister, has consistently denied the allegations against him.The move was welcomed by the United States, which has recently escalated its criticism of the ICC. Last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced what he described as a “sweeping campaign to dismantle the threat posed by the International Criminal Court to US sovereignty.”
Why Khan was removed
The 56-year-old prosecutor was accused of sexual misconduct involving a female aide. According to documents reviewed by The Associated Press, Khan allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship with the staff member and later attempted to prevent her from pursuing the allegations. Khan has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.Announcing the decision, the Assembly of States Parties said Khan was removed for “serious misconduct and serious breach of duty.”Human Rights Watch welcomed the decision, saying the court must maintain the highest standards of accountability.“The ICC should hold itself to the highest standards. This includes ensuring a safe workplace with effective and credible mechanisms available to staff or others who experience abuse, including sexual violence or harassment,” Liz Evenson, international justice director at Human Rights Watch told AP.Khan’s legal team criticised the proceedings, arguing that he was not given a fair opportunity to defend himself before member states voted.Attorney Tayab Ali said Khan’s “removal was determined by a process in which he was never given a fair opportunity to be heard, and in defiance of the conclusions of the independent judges who examined the full evidential record.”He added that Khan’s lawyers would challenge the decision “through all available legal mechanisms.” The Assembly will now begin the process of electing a new chief prosecutor.
US steps up campaign against ICC
Khan’s removal comes as the Trump administration intensifies its confrontation with the ICC. In a statement issued last week, secretary of state Marco Rubio said Washington would pressure countries to withdraw from the court, sanction organisations working with it and impose travel bans on ICC officials.“The United States was launching a ‘sweeping campaign to dismantle the threat posed by the International Criminal Court to US sovereignty,'” Rubio said.The Trump administration has already imposed sanctions on 13 ICC officials, including Khan, after the court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over the war in Gaza. The ICC has also investigated alleged crimes involving US personnel in Afghanistan.
