Karim Khan takes office as new ICC Prosecutor

Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations sworn in

Former war crimes prosecutor assumes role at the Hague

On 16 June 2021, Karim Khan was sworn in as the new Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Khan, a former Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, is the third person to hold this position. He succeeds Fatou Bensouda, who served as Prosecutor for nine years.

Khan has a distinguished career in international law, having served as a prosecutor and defense counsel in several high-profile war crimes cases. He is known for his commitment to justice and his ability to build consensus among different stakeholders.

In his inaugural address, Khan pledged to uphold the independence and impartiality of the ICC and to work to ensure that the Court holds those responsible for international crimes accountable. He also stressed the importance of cooperation between the ICC and national courts.

Khan's appointment comes at a time when the ICC is facing a number of challenges. The Court has been criticized for its slow pace of proceedings and its inability to bring some of the world's most notorious war criminals to justice. Khan has pledged to address these challenges and to make the ICC a more effective body.