ICC staff face banking issues early

The International Criminal Court is experiencing operational strain ahead of the official start of new US sanctions. Nazhat Shameem Khan, the Fijian deputy prosecutor, told The Guardian that staff members are already facing banking difficulties. This occurs despite the measures not taking legal effect until six months after their announcement.

Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, declared the sanctions on October 9. He labeled the ICC a rogue court and issued a six-month grace period for the institution to negotiate a solution. Khan stated that the court has made significant progress on investigations since November 2024. That is when arrest warrants were issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Galant.

Khan explained that the lack of new public charges stems from a court ruling requiring secrecy until judges approve disclosure. She noted that the Gaza war investigation remains active. While the public may perceive a pause, she assured that substantial work continues behind the scenes.

The primary friction stems from banks over-complying with the new measures to minimize risk. Khan said that while sanctions target the institution, individual staff members should not face direct impact in principle. However, she reported hearing from employees who are experiencing difficulties with their accounts. The scope of the measures remains uncertain, causing financial institutions to tighten their controls.

Khan herself was among 13 ICC staff targeted by US sanctions in February 2025. She described life without a credit card as inconvenient, particularly for travel. She contrasted her personal inconvenience with the experiences of victims she visits in refugee camps. For them, she said, sanctions are irrelevant compared to the desire for justice.

The court is taking steps to insulate itself from Washington. It is switching software from Microsoft to European alternatives and negotiating banking and health insurance providers. Khan confirmed that no investigations have been reduced or paused due to the sanctions. However, she acknowledged that the full impact of the measures remains to be seen once they officially take effect.

The prosecutor's office also faces internal disruption. Formal investigations began in late November 2024 into sexual harassment allegations against former chief prosecutor Karim Khan. The British jurist denied the charges and was removed in July following a vote by member states. A new chief prosecutor has not yet been appointed, leaving Khan co-running the office.

The European Parliament awarded the Sakharov prize for freedom of thought to the ICC and its officials on Thursday. The court's registrar is negotiating with the EU to block the US sanctions or protect the institution. Khan called this support a vital message for the staff, noting that the court provides an avenue for victims who need their voices heard.