Lyn Frans
ICC staff members report that sanctions imposed by the Trump administration have rendered it nearly impossible for the tribunal to perform basic functions, much less pursue justice for war crime victims.
These extensive sanctions, which specifically targeted chief prosecutor Karim Khan, have increasingly affected the court’s operations, according to the ICC.
The tribunal was sanctioned in February in response to arrest warrants issued by the ICC in November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. Trump’s executive order specifically named Khan, prohibiting his entry into the U.S. along with other non-U.S. staff.
As a result of these sanctions, Khan has reportedly lost access to his Microsoft email account, and his bank accounts in the United Kingdom have been frozen. Additionally, Trump’s sanctions impose penalties on any individual, organization, or company that provides Khan with “financial, material, or technological support.” American staff members have also been warned of potential arrest if they return home to visit family.
The sanctions are obstructing a wide range of investigations, not limited to those involving Israeli leaders.
For instance, the ICC had been looking into atrocities in Sudan and had issued arrest warrants for former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on charges including genocide. However, the investigation has stalled since prosecutor Eric Iverson filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration seeking protection from these sanctions.
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Iverson’s attorney, Allison Miller, stated that her client “cannot perform what I would describe as basic lawyer functions.”
Currently, three lawsuits are pending from U.S. court staff and consultants against the Trump administration, claiming that the sanctions violate their freedom of expression.
This renewed pressure from the Trump administration comes at a time when the court is already dealing with a scandal involving allegations of sexual abuse against Khan. Just weeks before Khan sought arrest warrants for Israeli officials, two court staff members reported that the British barrister had coerced a junior ICC employee into nonconsensual sexual acts.
A recent report by the Wall Street Journal has uncovered an alleged pattern of inappropriate touching, harassment, and forced intercourse committed by Khan against his accuser.
The assistant, a Malaysian lawyer in her 30s, claimed that Khan coerced her into sexual intercourse against her will during missions in New York, Colombia, Congo, Chad, and Paris, as well as at his residence in The Hague, according to her testimony reviewed by the U.S.-based outlet.
Khan’s attorneys have stated that all allegations of sexual violence or misconduct are “categorically untrue.”
In light of these revelations, Khan has also been accused of retaliating against staff members who supported the woman and demoting several individuals he perceived as critical of him.
A report from the UN’s Office of Internal Oversight Services regarding Khan’s alleged misconduct is anticipated in the coming months, according to reports.
Additional Source: AP
