Hague-Based International Human Rights Organization 'Women's Initiatives For Gender Justice' Calls For 'Immediate Temporary Discontinuation Of The Prosecutor's [Karim Khan's] Duties' Amid Allegations Of Sexual Misconduct

Against the backdrop of the sexual misconduct accusation against International Criminal Court chief prosecutor Karim Khan,[1] on November 22, 2024, the Hague-based Women's Initiatives for Gender Justice (WIGJ) posted on its website a "Statement on Allegations of Misconduct Against ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan." Stating that the WIGJ and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) "are deeply concerned about the allegations of misconduct against ICC Prosecutor," it added that "[t]hese allegations, and the external investigation they have prompted, highlight deeper issues within the Court's workplace culture and expose structural deficiencies that urgently require attention and reform."[2]

The statement continues with a call for "an impartial, independent and comprehensive external investigation into the allegations" against Khan and "the immediate temporary discontinuation of the Prosecutor's duties, effective immediately and until the external investigation has concluded. This measure is necessary to protect the integrity of the Court and complies with Rule 28 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence as well as aligns with Rule 110.5 (a) on 'suspension during disciplinary proceedings' of the Staff Rules of the International Criminal Court and the Administrative Instruction on Investigations of Unsatisfactory Conduct and the Administrative Instruction on Addressing Discrimination, Harassment, Including Sexual Harassment, and Abuse of Authority." It also states: "All those involved as complainants or witnesses must be protected against any form of retaliation and preventive protection measures should be put in place."  

On its website, the Women's Initiatives for Gender Justice says that is "an international human rights organization"[3] that is "[a]dvocating for accountability and prosecution of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) crimes and gender justice before the International Criminal Court (ICC) and domestic courts and mechanisms."[4] Under the heading "Advocating for gender justice through the ICC," it states that "the Women's Initiatives was the first NGO to file before the ICC and is the only international women's human rights organisation to have been recognised with amicus curiae status by the Court."[5]