ICC prosecutor suspended pending vote on sexual misconduct claims

The International Criminal Court's (ICC) governing body, the Assembly of States Parties (ASP), voted on December 11, 2023, to suspend Prosecutor Karim Khan pending a vote on allegations of sexual misconduct. Khan has rejected the suspension, stating it is an "unlawful" attempt to remove him from office. The ASP's Bureau initiated disciplinary proceedings against Khan after receiving a report from an independent panel that found "reasonable grounds" to believe he engaged in sexual misconduct. The ASP will now decide whether to remove Khan from his position. The allegations stem from a complaint filed by a former employee, who accused Khan of sexual harassment and abuse of power. Khan has denied all wrongdoing, calling the allegations "baseless" and a "smear campaign." The ASP's decision to suspend Khan is unprecedented and marks a significant challenge to the ICC's leadership. The proceedings are expected to be closely watched by international legal experts and human rights advocates.