International Criminal Court: Deputies Take Over Amid Prosecutor Misconduct Probe
In a statement on Monday, the prosecutors' office confirmed that deputies Nazhat Shameem Khan and Mame Mandiaye Niang are taking the lead, ensuring continuity across all cases and operations.
The transition follows Prosecutor Khan's announcement on 16 May that he would temporarily step aside while the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS) conducts an external inquiry into the allegations.
The investigation into widely reported allegations of sexual misconduct is being conducted by the OIOS at the request of the ICC's governing body. Mr. Khan has denied the allegations.
Although the ICC's Independent Oversight Mechanism typically handles such matters, the OIOS was brought in given the circumstances of the allegations and perceptions of possible and future conflicts of interest.
Duty of care
The prosecutors' office said it would fully cooperate with the investigation, while underscoring the need to protect the privacy and rights of everyone involved – emphasising the importance of safeguarding the integrity of the OIOS investigation.
' The Office is acutely aware of the duty of care it owes to all staff members and personnel, especially affected individuals,' the statement underscored.
Impartial and fair process
The Presidency of the Assembly of States Parties to the ICC – which elects the 18 judges – said on Sunday that the OIOS investigation was being carried out to ensure a full independent, impartial and fair process.
'The findings of the investigation will be handled in a transparent manner in accordance with the Rome Statute and the legal framework of the Court,' it noted.
Upholding ICC's mandate
In assuming leadership, the Deputy Prosecutors underlined the importance of ensuring continuity of the office's activities across all areas of work, and particularly in its mission to investigate and prosecute the most serious crimes – genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression – with independence and impartiality.
Court in the spotlight
The Prosecutor's leave of absence comes at a sensitive moment for the ICC, which is conducting investigations and prosecutions across multiple conflict zones, including Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Libya, Sudan (Darfur) and Ukraine.
Last November, the ICC issued arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, prompting the United States to announce punitive sanctions against the Court.
These include measures against senior personnel – including Prosecutor Khan – with threats of arrest should they travel to the US.
Relationship with the United Nations
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an independent judicial body established under the Rome Statute, adopted in 1998 and in force since 2002.Although not part of the United Nations, the ICC works closely with it under a cooperative framework.
The UN Security Council can refer situations to the ICC, enabling the Court to investigate and prosecute most serious crimes. Notable referrals include the situations in Darfur, Sudan (2005) and Libya (2011).
In return, the ICC reports to the Security Council when needed involving referrals.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
14 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Christopher Luxon welcomes Anthony Albanese in Queenstown; Trump tariffs and Gaza war on agenda
This has been criticised – including by former Prime Minister Helen Clark - as a radical change in New Zealand's foreign policy towards the US at the risk of upsetting trade relations with China. Luxon has said there has been no such change to New Zealand's independent foreign policy. The annual transtasman talks follow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement yesterday that Israel plans to take full control of Gaza. They also follow the dispatching of Trade Minister Todd McClay to Washington in an attempt to lower the 15% tariffs the US imposed on New Zealand last week, higher than the 10% Australia faces. US President Donald Trump has hit New Zealand with a 15% tariff on exports to the US. The two issues are related, with the US President using his tariff war as negotiating leverage; Trump posted to social media that Canada's upcoming recognition of Palestinian statehood would 'make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them'. Other countries, including Japan, have received more lenient tariff rates after promises to invest billions of dollars in the US. At the moment, Palestine is officially recognised by 147 of the United Nations' 193 member countries, with Canada, France and Britain also announcing plans to do so. New Zealand and Australia's respective positions are the same – that recognising a Palestinian state is a matter of when, not if. Foreign Minister Winston Peters has said progress needs to be made before that can happen, on issues including representative governance, commitments to non-violence, regional support and security guarantees for Israel. Australia has recently suggested it may be willing to make the recognition sooner rather than later, Foreign Minister Penny Wong recently warning of a risk 'there will be no Palestine left to recognise'. Earlier today, the Foreign Ministers of New Zealand, Australia, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement strongly rejecting the Israeli decision to launch an additional large-scale military operation in Gaza. Today is Luxon's and Albanese's fourth face-to-face meeting as Prime Ministers, though they knew each other previously when Luxon was head of Air New Zealand. When they met in Canberra a year ago, the issue of 501 deportees loomed large, but Albanese said there would be no change to the controversial policy. The Australian Government's direction to deport to New Zealand criminals who were born in New Zealand but have very little connection to the country has been a thorn in the side of the New Zealand/Australia relationship for years. Luxon and Albanese also signed a new defence deal, which means 'malicious cyber attacks' could be considered 'an armed attack' under the Anzus Treaty between the countries. New Zealand also received a strong indication it may soon be welcomed into the Australian, US, and UK defence pact known as Aukus – especially the second pillar relating to the sharing of military intelligence. The talks are taking place against a backdrop of a net migration loss of 30,000 people departing New Zealand for Australia in the year ended December 2024. This comprised 17,300 migrant arrivals from Australia to New Zealand and 47,300 migrant departures from New Zealand to Australia. Derek Cheng is a senior journalist who started at the Herald in 2004. He has worked several stints in the press gallery team and is a former deputy political editor.
NZ Herald
a day ago
- NZ Herald
Israel's plan to ‘take control' of Gaza City sparks wave of criticism
Netanyahu, in a post on X, said, 'We are not going to occupy Gaza – we are going to free Gaza from Hamas." Buildings destroyed in Israeli strikes surround makeshift shelters for displaced Palestinians in Gaza City. Photo / Bashar Taleb, AFP He said that the territory's demilitarisation and the establishment of 'a peaceful civilian administration... will help free our hostages' and prevent future threats. Israel occupied Gaza from 1967, but withdrew its troops and settlers in 2005. Netanyahu's office said the cabinet had adopted 'five principles', including Gaza's demilitarisation and 'the establishment of an alternative civil administration that is neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority'. The plan triggered swift criticism from across the globe, with China, Turkey, Britain and numerous Arab governments issuing statements of concern. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the Israeli plan a 'dangerous escalation' that risks 'deepening the already catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians'. Three diplomatic sources told AFP that the UN Security Council will meet on Saturday to discuss the plan. 'March of recklessness' Announcing the suspension of military shipments to Israel, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said it was 'increasingly difficult to understand' how the new plan would help achieve legitimate aims. In Israel, there were mixed reactions to the cabinet's decision, while Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had already begun preparing for its implementation. The main campaign group for hostages' families also slammed the plan, saying it amounted to 'abandoning' the captives. 'The cabinet chose last night to embark on another march of recklessness, on the backs of the hostages, the soldiers, and Israeli society as a whole,' the Hostage and Missing Families Forum said. A young boy stands next to his bicycle as Palestinians check the devastation following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City's southern al-Zeitoun neighbourhood. Photo / Bashar Taleb, AFP Out of 251 hostages captured during Hamas' 2023 attack, 49 are still being held in Gaza, including 27 the military says are dead. An expanded Israeli offensive could see ground troops operate in densely populated areas where hostages are believed to be held, local media have reported. Some Israelis, meanwhile, offered their support. 'As they take control of Gaza, they will eliminate Hamas completely – maybe not completely, but at least a good percentage of them,' said Chaim Klein, a 26-year-old yeshiva student. The Israeli army said last month that it controlled 75% of the Gaza Strip. 'We are human beings' Gaza residents said they feared further displacement and attacks as they braced for the next onslaught. 'They tell us to go south, then back north, and now they want to send us south again. We are human beings, but no one hears us or sees us,' Maysa al-Shanti, a 52-year-old mother of six, told AFP. Hamas on Friday said the 'plans to occupy Gaza City and evacuate its residents constitutes a new war crime'. It warned Israel that the operation would 'cost it dearly', and that 'expanding the aggression means sacrificing' the hostages held by militants. International concern has been growing over the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, where a UN-backed assessment has warned that famine is unfolding. The World Health Organisation said at least 99 people have died from malnutrition in the territory this year, with the figure likely an underestimate. Gaza's civil defence agency said a 19-year-old was seriously injured during the delivery of aid by an airdrop over Gaza City. 'There are daily injuries and fatalities caused by the heavy parcels falling on people's heads in densely populated areas,' said civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal, adding that stampedes and overcrowding at aid drop sites frequently lead to casualties. Bassal said Israeli strikes across Gaza on Friday killed at least 16 people. Israel in recent months has eased some restrictions on aid entering Gaza, but the United Nations says the amount allowed into the territory remains insufficient. Israel's offensive has killed over 61,000 Palestinians, according to Hamas-run Gaza's health ministry. The 2023 attack on Israel resulted in the deaths of 1219 people, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. – Agence France-Presse
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
Positive Response To Petition To PNCC For Gaza
Thyme4Action - Latest News [Page 1] The group has kicked off their initiative with a community petition urging Council to pass resolutions in support of a ceasefire in Gaza and existing international law relating to the illegally occupied Palestinian Territories. More >> Israeli Attack On Gaza Aid Flotilla Is State Piracy, Genocidal Violence — New Zealand's Silence Is Complicity Monday, 9 June 2025, 6:11 pm | Thyme4Action Aid is not terrorism. International waters are not Israel's territory. And silence in the face of evil is complicity. More >>
