International Justice: ICC Deputy Prosecutor Defies US Sanctions

The International Criminal Court is navigating a period of intense geopolitical pressure, yet its leadership maintains that the institution remains fully operational. Nazhat Shameem Khan, the deputy prosecutor currently co-running the office, stated that while the recent US sanctions are beginning to affect staff, the core work of the court has not been hindered.

The current conflict with Washington began in early October when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new sanctions against the court. Rubio, who has frequently criticized the ICC as a rogue institution, issued an ultimatum demanding that the court address US concerns or face further action. He granted the court a six-month grace period to negotiate a solution, though the specific requirements for satisfaction remain undefined.

Since the issuance of arrest warrants in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant, the court has made significant strides in its investigations. Khan explained that while no new charges regarding the Gaza war have been publicly announced since late 2024, this silence is procedural rather than a lack of activity. The court ruled earlier this year that all warrant applications must remain secret until judges approve their public release. Khan noted that even if investigations reach an imminent stage, the court may be unable to discuss them openly, creating an appearance of stagnation that does not reflect the actual progress being made.

The practical impact of the sanctions is already visible in daily operations. Although the measures are not officially due to take effect until six months after their announcement, many staff members are facing banking difficulties. Khan described this as banks over-complying to minimize risk while the scope of the sanctions is still being determined. In principle, these sanctions target the institution rather than individual employees, but Khan acknowledged hearing reports of financial hurdles from her team.

To insulate itself from the hostile administration in Washington, the court is actively shifting its technological infrastructure. It is moving its software away from Microsoft to European alternatives and is negotiating with service providers regarding banking and health insurance. Khan emphasized that all investigations across all situations are continuing, and the court has not made any decisions to reduce its capability or output based on the sanctions. However, she admitted that it is impossible to fully anticipate the impact once the measures become officially active.

Khan is personally familiar with the effects of US sanctions, as she was one of thirteen ICC staff targeted in February 2025. She described life without a credit card as inconvenient, noting how many global activities, particularly travel, rely on such tools. For her, these professional inconveniences are put into perspective by visits to refugee camps and sites of mass atrocities. She reminded herself and her team that for the victims they serve, sanctions and credit cards are irrelevant; they simply want justice.

The prosecutor's office is managing these external pressures alongside internal challenges. Formal investigations into allegations of sexual harassment against former chief prosecutor Karim Khan began in late November 2024. The British jurist, who is not related to the current deputy prosecutor, denied the charges and was removed from his position in July of this year following a vote by member states. This transition has kept the leadership team focused on stabilizing the office while continuing its mandate.

US officials have also made broader claims about the court's intentions. Secretary of State Rubio asserted this month, without providing evidence, that globalist experts wanted the ICC to prosecute US citizens. Khan clarified that no Americans have been brought before the court. She suggested that if the reference was to the Afghanistan investigation, the priority there is addressing offenses committed by the Taliban and the Islamic State Khorasan against women and other vulnerable groups. This month, the court's pretrial chamber unsealed four arrest warrants against Taliban members on charges of gender persecution.

Support for the court is growing in Europe as the ICC registrar negotiates with the EU to block the sanctions or protect the institution in other ways. On Thursday, the European Parliament awarded its Sakharov prize for freedom of thought to the court and its officials. Khan called this backing a vital message for the staff. She stated that the heightened attention reflects the court's relevance as a venue for victims who have nowhere else to go. She concluded that the court exists to help these individuals cut past politics and have their voices heard.

As the six-month deadline approaches, the court will continue to balance its investigative work with the logistical challenges posed by US financial measures. The leadership remains committed to its mission, asserting that the push for justice for victims outweighs the administrative hurdles created by international sanctions.