The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, has publicly refuted allegations of sexual misconduct that have surfaced recently, asserting his commitment to cooperate fully with an investigation into the claims. On the heels of recent media coverage that reported allegations including unwanted sexual advances and "abuse," Khan issued a statement wherein he requested the ICC's Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM) to undertake a thorough probe.
In his declaration, Khan also addressed what he characterized as misleading narratives surrounding the allegations. This request follows a revelation that the president of the ICC's Assembly of States Parties (ASP) has indicated that the IOM has been in communication with the alleged victim but is not prepared to initiate an inquiry just yet.
Reports, including one from the Guardian, indicate that a female lawyer had experienced unwanted attention from Khan over an extended period across various settings, raising concerns about the IOM’s capacity to handle the allegations thoroughly and suggesting that she had not been provided with sufficient avenues for an external investigation.
While recounting the situation, ASP President Paivi Kaukoranta mentioned the IOM’s 2023-2024 annual report, which highlights the necessity to recommend safeguards for all involved. Earlier, Khan avoided laying blame on any specific entity, albeit he insinuated that the sexual misconduct allegations might be intertwined with broader attacks on his credibility and the ICC's work amidst ongoing tensions tied to the court’s actions in Gaza.
Currently, a panel of three ICC judges is reviewing Khan’s requests for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for presumed war crimes linked to the conflict in Gaza. Following claims that suggest Khan's allegations date back prior to his pursuit of these arrest warrants, he expressed profound disappointment regarding the public airing of the accusations, declaring that there is "no truth" to the allegations.
The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, is navigating a significant crisis as it grapples with the serious internal rifts sparked by the handling of the allegations, coupled with attempts by its critics to draw political implications. Kaukoranta emphasized the ICC's unwavering "zero-tolerance policy" towards misconduct like harassment, reiterating her commitment to ensuring that the rights of everyone involved are preserved.
