The ICC Should Address Accusations Against Its Chief Prosecutor

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is cut off in the time of sharp need. About 11 months have passed since the accusation became publicly that the chief prosecutor of the court, Karim Khan, sexually assaulted a lawyer in his office. He denies this accusation, and it has been taken appropriately, a temporary leave from absence starting in May 2025, while the internal control services office (OIOS) is investigating.

We do not know what happened between Khan and his employee, but as a long -time motive for the court, we are very concerned about the impact of this development on this important institution. We urge the 125 governments that joined the court – the Association of Parties to Countries – to request Oios to finish the touches on the investigation report, which was soon suspended for a year.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is cut off in the time of sharp need. About 11 months have passed since the accusation became publicly that the chief prosecutor of the court, Karim Khan, sexually assaulted a lawyer in his office. He denies this accusation, and it has been taken appropriately, a temporary leave from absence starting in May 2025, while the internal control services office (OIOS) is investigating.

We do not know what happened between Khan and his employee, but as a long -time motive for the court, we are very concerned about the impact of this development on this important institution. We urge the 125 governments that joined the court – the Association of Parties to Countries – to request Oios to finish the touches on the investigation report, which was soon suspended for a year.

In the absence of Khan, two deputies temporarily assumed his duties, and the Prosecutor’s Office continues to do an important job. Recently, the trials have continued and the condemnation of the leadership of the Republic of Africa in Central Africa was secured.

However, many important issues are suspended, and they are very controversial for deputies. A person is needed of Khan’s position, or a permanent alternative, to make heat for these decisions.

For example, the Prosecutor’s Office is said to be preparing to request arrest orders for Israeli ministers on the extreme right, Finance Minister Paisalel Sottic and National Security Minister Itamar bin Ghafir, to expand the scope of illegal settlements of Israel in the occupied West Bank. However, no fees have been paid publicly, and it is not clear whether the issue has advanced.

In 2024, Khan has been charged and successfully sought to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Secretary Juff Galet for their hunger and depriving Palestinian civilians in Gaza. However, no person has been charged for the use of the deadly power in Gaza, such as dropping the massive bombs with an area of ​​2000 pounds that destroys the Palestinian neighborhoods randomly, or shooting Palestinian civilians who are starving as they are heading to food from the distribution points linked to the Israeli.

The administration of US President Donald Trump imposed sanctions on Khan, his deputies and six judges. This step was a revenge against the charges against Netanyahu and Calant, and an investigation in Afghanistan may be theory. The Americans were involved in torture there. Article 70 of the court treaty prohibits any threat or intimidation of court officials or revenge against them because of their official duties. However, no one has been charged for this bright obstruction in justice.

In Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin was accused of kidnapping Ukrainian children, but not to target Ukrainian civilians or civil infrastructure. Four Russian military leaders were charged to target electrical infrastructure in Ukraine. It is unreasonable to act without Putin’s approval, however Putin has not been charged with his responsibility.

In Africa, the Public Prosecutor’s Office in renewable genocide in the Sudanese Darfur region and the renewed armed conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, but no charges have been announced. More importantly, the United Arab Emirates (the United Arab Emirates) was the militia of the rapid support forces militia in the genocide in Sudan, and Rwandan was directed and fighting alongside the M23 brutal militia in the eastern Congo, yet the United Arab Emirates or Rwandan official has not been accused of obscure and infection.

In short, there are important cases to follow up on the International Criminal Court, and the court needs the entire public prosecutors who are able to make these difficult decisions.

Moreover, accusations against Khan continue to provide a political cover for the countries facing the investigation. For example, the Israeli government suggested that the charges against Netanyahu and Callant have been raised to divert attention from Khan’s alleged behavior. This is rich, given that the Israel of Israel was hidden in the office of the Prosecutor, and threatened both Khan and his predecessor, Fato Benusouda, to achieve him in Israeli officials.

When sexual assault was accused against Khan for the first time, he could have resigned. Instead, he denied the allegations and its emerging, as well as his right. But the investigation, which followed, continued at the pace of the snail. According to our contacts in the court, only one investigator was appointed, and there was no general account of the results.

This investigation is necessary to be concluded urgently and the report be announced. If the allegations are confirmed, Khan must resign. If he rejects them, he must resume his responsibilities. If the facts remain unclear, then the assembly of the parties in the states must make the best evaluation that can be for facts, voting on this matter, and solving them, Pro or Con. The majority of the members can remove the public prosecutors. Then a quick search will be needed to determine an alternative.

It is extremely unfortunate that at a moment when we need the International Criminal Court to achieve justice in the most challenging places in the world, she finds itself paralyzed due to allegations against the chief public prosecutor. Member States have an obligation to overcome this stalemate without delaying further delay. The report should be published on Khan’s behavior completely, and the issue is permanently resolved.