UN to Lead Investigation into Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against ICC Prosecutor

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The United Nations Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) has been selected to lead an external investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). This decision, revealed during the ICC’s annual meeting in The Hague, Netherlands, has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest due to the prosecutor’s wife’s prior work with the oversight body.  

 

Khan, who is known for overseeing investigations into war crimes and atrocities in regions such as Ukraine, Gaza, and Venezuela, is facing allegations of coercing a female aide into a sexual relationship and groping her over several months. These claims emerged as the ICC prepared to issue a warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.  

 

According to whistleblower documents obtained by the Associated Press, Khan allegedly transferred the woman to his office from another department at the ICC and traveled frequently with her. During one foreign trip, Khan reportedly asked the aide to rest with him on a hotel bed and allegedly engaged in nonconsensual physical contact. The documents also describe an instance where Khan knocked on her hotel room door at 3 a.m. for 10 minutes. Other allegations include locking the door of his office while attempting to touch her and asking her multiple times to join him on a vacation.

 

The accusations came to light in May when two court employees who were confided in by the alleged victim stepped forward. This timing coincided with Khan’s request for arrest warrants against Netanyahu, Israel’s defense minister, and three Hamas leaders for war crimes.  

 

Advocacy organizations such as the International Federation for Human Rights and Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice have called for Khan’s suspension during the investigation. In a joint statement, they urged a transparent review of the OIOS to ensure its independence and expertise. The groups also highlighted what they termed Khan’s "close relationship" with the U.N. agency, emphasizing the need for further scrutiny.  

 

The ICC, which employs over 900 staff members, has long adhered to a “zero-tolerance” policy on sexual harassment. However, a 2020 review revealed a troubling workplace culture characterized by predatory behavior among male supervisors, limited female representation in senior roles, and inadequate whistleblower protections. The report found that 30% of staff surveyed had experienced discrimination, abuse, or harassment in the preceding year, and many were fearful of reporting misconduct by high-ranking officials.  

 

As the investigation unfolds, the ICC faces mounting pressure to address systemic issues and ensure accountability within its ranks, while Khan continues to deny the allegations.

 

Based on a report by WP & AP 2024-12-05

 

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