What is the common examiner trap about Intl. Relations in UPSC exams?

Confusing the ICC with the ICJ (International Court of Justice). The ICC prosecutes individuals, the ICJ settles disputes between states. Also, confusing the Assembly of States Parties with the UN Security Council. The ASP manages the ICC, the UNSC can refer situations to the ICC. The US is not a state party to the Rome Statute.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Intl. Relations for Prelims?

1. Target this Institution: International Criminal Court (ICC) 2. Target this Official: Karim Khan (Chief Prosecutor) 3. Target this Allegation: Sexual misconduct with a female aide 4. Target this Body: Assembly of States Parties (ASP) 5. Target this Vote: Unprecedented removal vote, secret ballot 6. Target this Sanction: US sanctions over Gaza investigation (arrest warrants for Netanyahu & Gallant)

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News 2 of 22

ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan Faces Unprecedented Removal Vote Over Misconduct Allegations, Barred by US Sanctions

Q: What is the name of the oversight body of the International Criminal Court (ICC) mentioned in the article?

Assembly of States Parties, The article explicitly states that the oversight body is the 'Assembly of States Parties (ASP)', composed of 125 nations, which is holding a special session to vote on the removal of the chief prosecutor.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan: 1. The removal vote is being conducted by the Assembly of States Parties. 2. The Netherlands has announced it will vote against the resolution to oust him. 3. Khan has been suspended from practising law in the UK by the Bar Standards Board. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct: the ASP is conducting the vote. Statement 2 is incorrect: the article states the Netherlands will vote for his removal. Statement 3 is correct: he was suspended by the British Bar Standards Board pending their investigation. Hence option C is correct.

Q: According to the article, in which year did the ICC issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant?

2024, The article explicitly states that the court issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for crimes against humanity.

Q: What is the primary reason cited in the article for the US sanctions imposed on ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan?

His investigation into the conduct of Israeli officials in Gaza, The article directly links the US sanctions to the court's investigation into Israeli officials for the military's conduct in the conflict in Gaza. This is the reason explicitly mentioned for the Trump administration's sanctions.

Intl. Relations Polity Social IssuesCORE

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

24 Jul 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:ICCKarim KhanAssembly of States Parties (ASP)125 nations2024 arrest warrantsNetanyahu

Bodies:International Criminal Court (ICC)Assembly of States Parties (ASP)United States GovernmentBritish Bar Standards Board

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan faces an unprecedented removal vote by the Assembly of States Parties over sexual misconduct allegations.

2.Barred from the US by sanctions linked to the Gaza investigation, Khan's absence raises serious due process concerns.

3.The case exposes deep divisions within the court and the geopolitical pressures impacting international justice.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan faces an unprecedented removal vote by the Assembly of States Parties over sexual misconduct allegations. Barred from entering the US due to sanctions over the Gaza investigation, his absence raises serious due process concerns. The vote exposes deep divisions within the court and tensions between international justice and US foreign policy.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

InstitutionInternational Criminal Court (ICC)

Oversight BodyAssembly of States Parties (ASP) - 125 nations

Accused OfficialKarim Khan (British barrister, Chief Prosecutor)

AllegationSexual misconduct with a female aide

Sanctioning AuthorityUS (Trump administration)

Key InvestigationArrest warrants for Netanyahu & Gallant (2024)

1-Minute Revision

›Institution: International Criminal Court (ICC)
›Oversight Body: Assembly of States Parties (ASP) - 125 nations
›Target this Institution: International Criminal Court (ICC)
›Target this Official: Karim Khan (Chief Prosecutor)
›Target this Allegation: Sexual misconduct with a female aide
›Target this Body: Assembly of States Parties (ASP)

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News Snapshot

⚖️

Unprecedented Removal Vote

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan faces a secret removal vote by the ASP over sexual misconduct allegations, a first for the court.

🇺🇸

US Sanctions & Due Process

Barred from the US by sanctions, Khan cannot attend the meeting, with his lawyers arguing this violates fair hearing principles.

🌍

Gaza Investigation Entanglement

The misconduct case is politically charged, stemming from the ICC's 2024 arrest warrants for Israeli leaders, dividing the institution.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The International Criminal Court (ICC), established by the Rome Statute (1998, effective 2002), investigates genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The Assembly of States Parties (ASP) is its management oversight and legislative body. Karim Khan became Chief Prosecutor in 2021. The ICC faces constant pressure, particularly from the US, which is not a state party.

Core Analysis & Implications

The removal vote is unprecedented in the ICC's 24-year history. The allegations against Khan have dragged on for over two years, profoundly affecting the tribunal. The US sanctions (Trump administration) targeting Khan over the Gaza investigation (arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant in 2024) represent a major escalation by a permanent UNSC member against an international tribunal, threatening its independence and effectiveness.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The outcome of the secret vote remains uncertain; only the Netherlands has publicly declared its intention to vote for removal. If removed, a replacement must be elected, with the office currently run by deputy prosecutors. Regardless of the outcome, the court's credibility and operational capacity are severely damaged, setting a dangerous precedent for how states can leverage internal processes and external sanctions to influence international justice.

Key Facts at a Glance

InstitutionInternational Criminal Court (ICC)

Oversight BodyAssembly of States Parties (ASP) - 125 nations

Accused OfficialKarim Khan (British barrister, Chief Prosecutor)

AllegationSexual misconduct with a female aide

Sanctioning AuthorityUS (Trump administration)

Key InvestigationArrest warrants for Netanyahu & Gallant (2024)

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Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, Banking

What is the name of the oversight body of the International Criminal Court (ICC) mentioned in the article?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan:

1. The removal vote is being conducted by the Assembly of States Parties.

2. The Netherlands has announced it will vote against the resolution to oust him.

3. Khan has been suspended from practising law in the UK by the Bar Standards Board.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

According to the article, in which year did the ICC issue arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

What is the primary reason cited in the article for the US sanctions imposed on ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan?

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ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan Faces Unprecedented Removal Vote Over Misconduct Allegations, Barred by US Sanctions

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Unprecedented Removal Vote

US Sanctions & Due Process

Gaza Investigation Entanglement

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance