Palestinian rights groups: ICC prosecutor's disciplinary process politicized

Nine leading Palestinian human rights organizations have warned that the disciplinary process against suspended International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Karim Khan has become politicized and is damaging the court's independence. In a joint statement, the Palestinian Human Rights Organizations Council (PHROC) said the process has been reduced to a 'political referendum' driven by national interests of member states. The groups criticized the ICC's Assembly of States Parties (ASP) bureau for ignoring the findings of an independent panel of judges, who concluded that evidence did not establish misconduct against Khan. The bureau, a political body, decided to move forward with a vote on Khan's removal, scheduled for July 24 in New York. The PHROC said the bureau's actions breached basic human rights guarantees and opened the court to political interference. They also highlighted concerns that the process could shield Israel from accountability, linking it to past attempts to challenge the court's jurisdiction over Palestine. The groups urged member states to protect the court's independence, noting threats from the US and others. The statement added that the disciplinary process has failed all parties and risks further damage to international criminal justice.