ICC Banking: Staff Face Strain as Sanctions Loom

The International Criminal Court is facing financial friction before the new United States sanctions officially take effect. Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan stated that staff members are already experiencing banking difficulties. She described this as a result of financial institutions over-complying to minimize risk while the scope of the measures remains uncertain.

The United States State Department announced the sanctions on October 9. Secretary of State Marco Rubio labeled the ICC a rogue court and declared that either the court would end its threats or Washington would end the court. He granted the institution a six-month grace period to negotiate a solution. The sanctions are not due to take effect until six months after that announcement date.

Khan is currently co-running the prosecutor's office pending the appointment of a new chief prosecutor. She reported that the investigation into the war in Gaza has made progress since arrest warrants were issued in November 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Galant. No further charges have been announced since late 2024. Khan explained that a court ruling this year requires all charges and warrant applications to remain secret until judges decide they can be made public.

Khan said some staff have run into problems accessing their funds. She noted that in principle, the sanctions target the institution and should not directly impact individual members. However, she acknowledged hearing reports of difficulties from employees. The court is working to insulate itself from the hostile administration in Washington by switching software from Microsoft to European alternatives. It is also negotiating with service providers regarding banking and health insurance.

Khan, who was among thirteen ICC staff targeted by the US in February 2025, described life without a credit card as inconvenient. She stated that her personal inconvenience is put into perspective by visits to refugee camps and sites of mass atrocities. She added that victims of these atrocities view sanctions and credit cards as irrelevant and simply want justice.

The prosecutor's office is also dealing with internal disruptions. Formal investigations began in late November 2024 into allegations of sexual harassment against former chief prosecutor Karim Khan. The British jurist, who is no relation to the deputy prosecutor, denied the charges and was removed in July after a vote by member states.

The ICC registrar is negotiating with the European Union over blocking the sanctions or protecting the court in other ways. On Thursday, the European Parliament awarded the court and its officials the Sakharov prize for freedom of thought. Khan called this support an important message for the staff. She stated that the attention reflects the court's relevance as an avenue of justice for victims who have nowhere else to go.