Karim Khan Responds to Sexual Misconduct Allegations with Call for Investigation

In light of serious allegations, the ICC faces significant scrutiny as Khan requests an investigation into both the claims and alleged disinformation surrounding them.

Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has publicly denied allegations of sexual misconduct while requesting an immediate investigation into the matter. In a statement, Khan specified that he has formally asked the ICC's Independent Oversight Mechanism (IOM) to conduct the inquiry. He also raised concerns regarding what he described as “apparent disinformation” related to the accusations.

The allegations surfaced following reports citing a document detailing claims against Khan, which reportedly include instances of unwanted sexual touching and abuse. In response to these claims, Khan has emphasized his commitment to cooperate fully with the inquiry.

This unraveling comes at a time when the ICC is under scrutiny due to Khan's controversial request for arrest warrants connected to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. In a recent interview, the president of the ICC’s Assembly of States Parties (ASP), which oversees the court's legislative activities, stated that the IOM had communicated with the alleged victim. However, she noted that an official investigation could not proceed at that time.

According to a report by the Guardian, a female lawyer accused Khan of prolonged unwanted sexual advances in various settings. She expressed skepticism about the IOM's ability to handle the situation adequately and felt insufficiently empowered to seek an external investigation.

Aspen President Paivi Kaukoranta referenced the IOM's 2023-2024 report, which highlighted the conversation with the alleged victim and indicated that safeguarding rights for all parties was recommended rather than a formal investigation.

While Khan has not directly assigned blame to Israel, he does assert that the allegations against him are intertwined with broader efforts to undermine his position, describing this as a time marked by "a wide range of attacks and threats." Notably, the allegations pre-date his requests for arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for supposed war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

The ICC, based in The Hague, faces a pivotal moment as it grapples with these accusations amid increasing internal disputes over their management and simultaneous political pushback. Khan has expressed profound sadness upon learning that these serious allegations would be made public, asserting, “there is no truth to suggestions of such misconduct.”

As the situation unfolds, the ICC maintains a "zero-tolerance policy" regarding misconduct and discrimination, with Kaukoranta asserting her commitment to safeguarding the rights of all individuals involved.