In a shocking development that threatens to overshadow the International Criminal Court’s ongoing work, the United Nations has agreed to conduct an external investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan. This move comes amid increasing scrutiny of the prosecutor, who is already navigating politically sensitive investigations into war crimes and atrocities in regions such as Ukraine, Gaza, and Venezuela.
The allegations against Khan have sparked controversy, with reports suggesting he attempted to coerce a female aide into a sexual relationship and groped her without consent over several months. These accusations surfaced during the same period that the ICC was preparing a warrant for the arrest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
At the ICC’s annual meeting in The Hague this week, which was attended by delegates from the court’s 124 member states, Päivi Kaukoranta, the Finnish diplomat heading the oversight body, revealed that the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) would lead the investigation. The decision has raised eyebrows, however, as Khan’s wife, a prominent human rights attorney, previously worked for the UN agency in Kenya, raising potential conflict of interest concerns.
This has drawn criticism from respected human rights groups, including the International Federation for Human Rights and Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice. Both organizations have voiced concerns about the UN’s selection for the investigation, calling for a “thorough vetting” process to ensure the investigative body is free from any conflicts of interest. They also stressed that Khan should be suspended while the investigation is ongoing to maintain the integrity of the process.
“We strongly recommend ensuring that these concerns are openly and transparently addressed before assigning the mandate to the OIOS,” the groups stated in a joint statement. Their call for transparency highlights the delicate balance between the ICC’s crucial work and the need for an impartial probe into the misconduct allegations against its chief prosecutor.
As the investigation looms, questions about Khan’s future at the ICC and the potential ramifications for the court’s credibility remain unanswered. With the court’s focus on holding perpetrators of war crimes accountable, the allegations against its top prosecutor could have far-reaching consequences for the organization’s reputation and its ability to continue its vital work.
