ICC Deputy Prosecutor: Staff Feel Sanctions Bite, But Work Continues

Ordinary employees of the International Criminal Court are already experiencing financial friction, even though new American sanctions are not yet fully in force. Nazhat Shameem Khan, who is currently co-running the prosecutor’s office, noted that some staff members are facing banking difficulties. She described this as a case of banks over-complying to minimize risk while the exact scope of the measures remains uncertain. Although the sanctions are technically imposed on the institution rather than individuals, the practical impact on daily life and travel is becoming apparent for those working for the Hague-based body.

The measures were announced on 9 October by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He labeled the court a rogue entity and issued a stark ultimatum: either the court ends its threats, or the US will end the court. Rubio granted a six-month grace period for the ICC to negotiate a solution, though it remains unclear what specific actions would satisfy Washington. Khan insisted that these external pressures have not hindered the court's core operations or its ability to deliver justice.

Khan stated that significant progress has been made in ongoing investigations, including the probe into the war in Gaza. This work has continued since war crimes arrest warrants were issued in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant. She explained that no new charges have been announced recently because the court ruled earlier this year that all warrant applications must remain secret until judges approve their public release. This procedural step can create an appearance of inactivity, even when substantial investigative work is underway.

To insulate itself from the hostile administration in Washington, the court is making logistical shifts. It is moving its software from Microsoft to European alternatives and negotiating with service providers for banking and health insurance. Khan acknowledged that while all investigations continue, it is impossible to anticipate the full impact once the sanctions officially take effect. She emphasized that no decisions have been made to reduce the court's capability or output based on the sanctions.

Khan, who was among thirteen ICC staff targeted by the US in February 2025, described the inconvenience of life without a credit card. She noted that modern travel and daily tasks are heavily dependent on such financial tools. However, she added that these personal inconveniences are put into perspective when visiting sites of mass atrocities. There, the victims for whom the court seeks justice view sanctions as irrelevant to their need for accountability.

The prosecutor’s office faces disruptions beyond US sanctions. Formal investigations began in late 2024 into allegations of sexual harassment against former chief prosecutor Karim Khan, a British jurist who is no relation to the deputy prosecutor. He denied the charges and was removed in July following a vote by member states. Additionally, Rubio claimed that globalist experts wanted the ICC to prosecute US citizens, a point Khan said was unclear since no Americans have been brought before the court. She noted that the current priority in the Afghanistan investigation is offenses against women and girls, leading to four new arrest warrants against Taliban members this month.

The court is also seeking support from Europe. The ICC registrar is negotiating with the EU to block the sanctions or protect the court through other means. On Thursday, the European Parliament awarded the court and its officials the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Khan called this backing a crucial message for staff, stating that the intense attention reflects the court's relevance as a venue for victims who have nowhere else to turn.