Archive · 22 Jul 2026
ICC Members to Vote on Firing Prosecutor Khan
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is having a big vote to decide if they should fire their chief prosecutor, Karim Khan.
Some people say he did something wrong, like having a non-consensual relationship with a younger worker named Sarah.
Khan says he didn't do anything wrong.
The vote is happening because some people think Khan's actions have made the ICC look bad.
The U.S. doesn't like the ICC and is trying to get other countries to leave it.
The EU supports the ICC but hasn't done much to protect it.
No matter what happens, the vote won't fix all the problems inside the ICC.
Member states of the ICC will vote on whether to fire chief prosecutor Karim Khan for alleged sexual misconduct.
The vote is scheduled for July 22 at the U.N. headquarters in New York.
Khan denies any wrongdoing, while his accuser, a junior ICC staffer named Sarah, alleges a non-consensual relationship due to power disparity.
The U.S. is opposed to the ICC and is considering diplomatic pressure on other nations to withdraw from the court.
The EU supports the ICC but has not taken concrete public steps to shield the institution.
- Who
- Member states of the International Criminal Court (ICC)
- What
- Vote on whether to fire chief prosecutor Karim Khan for alleged sexual misconduct
- When
- July 22
- Where
- U.N. headquarters in New York
- Why
- Allegations of sexual misconduct by Khan, which has damaged the ICC's credibility
Pro-Khan Supporters
Pro-Dismissal Supporters
Credibility of the ICC
Pro-Khan Supporters
Pro-Khan supporters argue that the allegations are politically motivated and could undermine the ICC's credibility if Khan is dismissed.
Pro-Dismissal Supporters
Pro-dismissal supporters believe that Khan's alleged misconduct has already damaged the ICC's credibility and that his removal is necessary to restore trust.
Power Disparity and Consent
Pro-Khan Supporters
Khan's legal team denies any wrongdoing and argues that the decision to hold the vote is unlawful and procedurally unfair.
Pro-Dismissal Supporters
The accuser, Sarah, argues that the power disparity between her and Khan makes any consensual relationship impossible.
- Prosecutor
- Karim Khan
- Accuser
- Sarah (junior ICC staffer)
- Vote Date
- July 22
- Vote Location
- U.N. headquarters in New York
- Required Majority
- Absolute majority of at least 63 of the 125 member states
- ICC Establishment Year
- 2002
- U.S. Stance
- Opposed to the ICC, considering diplomatic pressure on nations to withdraw
- EU Stance
- Supports the ICC, but no concrete public steps taken to shield the institution