ICC to investigate sexual misconduct claims against chief prosecutor
Karim Khan, the ICC's chief prosecutor, has denied the allegations and has stated his willingness to cooperate with the inquiry while continuing his duties.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) recently announced that it will conduct an independent investigation into claims of sexual misconduct involving its chief prosecutor.
Karim Khan, the ICC's chief prosecutor, has denied the allegations and has stated his willingness to cooperate with the inquiry while continuing his duties. Originally, Khan had requested the ICC's watchdog, the Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM), to investigate the matter. However, on Monday, the ICC's governing body decided that an external investigation would provide greater impartiality.
This decision followed media coverage of a document detailing accusations against Mr. Khan, which reportedly includes claims of unwanted sexual advances and other misconduct. In a statement, Khan welcomed the opportunity to participate in the investigation, expressing confidence in the fairness of the process. He also assured that any investigation-related tasks would be managed by deputy prosecutors, to avoid conflicts of interest and protect the rights of all involved.
According to The Guardian, a female lawyer who had accused Khan of inappropriate behavior questioned the effectiveness of the IOM. The report also alleged that Khan attempted to dissuade the complainant from pursuing her claims, despite previous advice to avoid personal contact with her. Khan has denied asking her to retract her allegations.
In October, Paivi Kaukoranta, president of the court's oversight body, stated that the IOM had reached out to the complainant but, at that time, was not ready to begin an investigation. While defending the IOM's capability, Kaukoranta acknowledged the need for an external review in this instance, citing the unique circumstances and the importance of a fair, unbiased process.
The ICC and Mr. Khan have faced heightened scrutiny following the prosecutor's call for arrest warrants in connection to the ongoing Gaza conflict. Khan previously asserted that there is evidence to suggest criminal responsibility for war crimes by Israeli and Hamas leaders. Though he avoided directly implicating Israel, Khan has mentioned the various pressures and challenges he and the ICC are currently facing, linking them to attempts to undermine his role.
Despite these accusations, the allegations of misconduct against him reportedly predate his recent call for arrest warrants related to the Gaza conflict. A panel of ICC judges is now reviewing Khan's request for these arrest warrants.
