Leading human rights group calls for ICC prosecutor to be sacked over sexual misconduct allegations – The Irish Times

One of the world’s oldest and largest human rights organizations called for the ban to be suspended immediately. Karim Khanprosecutor International Criminal Court (ICC). Mr Khan faces allegations of workplace sexual misconduct, which he denies.

Mr Khan acknowledged the allegations against him but said he would remain in office until an external investigation was conducted and that two deputy prosecutors would handle any matters related to allegations of sexual misconduct independently and without reporting to him.

But the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), along with Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice, said Mr Khan should resign in line with the court’s own rules on “suspension pending disciplinary proceedings” pending the outcome of the external investigation announced last week.

Four years after the Goldstone independent review, which found a wider “culture of fear” at the court, FIDH said the allegations “highlight deeper problems in the court’s workplace culture and reveal structural deficiencies that require urgent attention and reform”.

The allegations against Mr Khan were accepted earlier this month by the assembly of states parties to the Rome Statute, which established the court in 2002. The Parliament will begin its annual meeting in The Hague next Monday.

Parliament speaker Päivi Kaukoranta said the allegations would be examined externally rather than by the internal oversight mechanism of the ICC, which normally conducts such an investigation.

As for who will conduct the investigation, FIDH said it understood that the agency chosen would most likely be the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS). But doubts remain.

“There are concerns about the selection of this investigative body, including concerns publicly expressed about the alleged close relationship between the ICC prosecutor and the OIOS.

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“We strongly recommend that these concerns be addressed openly and transparently before delegating the task to OIOS.”

The concerns relate to Mr Khan’s wife, human rights lawyer Dato Shyamala Alagendra, who previously worked at OIOS.

Regarding Mr Khan’s “provisional suspension”, FIDH argued that this was “necessary to preserve the integrity of the court” under Rule 28 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence and Rule 110.5 on “suspension pending disciplinary proceedings”.

“This approach will ensure that the investigation progresses unimpeded, strengthening confidence in the process and underlining a commitment to accountability and impartiality. This will allow the Prosecutor’s Office to continue its essential work without distraction.”

The two NGOs said the welfare of ICC staff should be protected using “a feminist leadership approach to accountability.”

This approach was based on the understanding that “discrimination, oppression and violence do not emerge in a vacuum, but are implemented by some and made possible by others in the same environment.”