Karim Khan Blacklisted by US in Response to War Crimes Probe
The United States has reportedly placed ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan on its blacklist, making him the first individual sanctioned under President Donald Trump’s executive order targeting the International Criminal Court (ICC). This move is seen as retaliation for the court’s probe into alleged war crimes committed by US citizens and allies such as Israel.
Trump’s executive order authorizes economic and travel sanctions against ICC officials involved in investigations targeting Americans or their allies. These sanctions include freezing assets and barring entry into the United States, extending to affected individuals’ immediate family members. The order also directs the Treasury Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to submit a report within 60 days naming people who should be sanctioned.
Khan, a British national, was named on Friday in an annex of the US sanctions list, though this has not been made public yet. Khan was elected ICC prosecutor in 2021 and previously served as head of the UN Investigative Team for Daesh/ISIL crimes in Iraq. He has extensive experience working in international tribunals and representing victims of human rights violations.
As part of an agreement between the United Nations and Washington, Khan should be able to regularly travel to the US to brief the UN Security Council on cases referred to the ICC in The Hague. However, this could now be impeded by the US sanctions. The UN has expressed its trust that any restrictions taken against individuals would be implemented consistently with the host country’s obligations under the UN Headquarters Agreement.
Established in 2002, the International Criminal Court has jurisdiction to prosecute genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes in member states or when referred by the UN Security Council. Washington argues that the court has no jurisdiction over the US or Israel since neither country is a signatory to the Rome Statute. This is not the first time the US has sanctioned ICC officials; in 2020, it imposed sanctions on then-ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda for her involvement in the Afghanistan probe.
Khan’s addition to the US blacklist raises concerns about potential impacts on the ICC’s ongoing investigations and its relationship with the United States. The court’s work remains crucial in holding accountable those responsible for the most serious international crimes.