The Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties regrets institutional sanctions against the International Criminal Court (“the Court”).

The escalation in unprecedented use of coercive measures is a regrettable attempt to impede the Court and its personnel in the exercise of their independent judicial functions. Such actions aim to directly challenge an international legal institution painstakingly built to ensure that accountability, not impunity, prevails. The institutional designation of the Court follows sanctions targeting the elected officials of the Court.

The Presidency of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, in response to steps taken by the Government of Naoero towards withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court (“ICC”), has taken note of the situation with concern.

The Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (the “Bureau”) decided on 28 September 2026 that the twenty-fifth session of the Assembly, originally scheduled to take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York, will be relocated to The Hague from 30 November to 7 December 2026 (inclusive), with Saturday, 5 December and Sunday, 6 December as working days.

It is with deep concern that we note the latest actions announced by the Government of the United States against the President of the International Criminal Court and a Trial Lawyer working for the Office of the Prosecutor. These new actions, in addition to the earlier designations of the leadership of the Office of the Prosecutor and 8 judges of the International Criminal Court, are regrettable attempts to impede the Court and its personnel in the exercise of their mandated functions to investigate and adjudicate cases involving the worst crimes known to humanity.

The President of the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) wishes to address recent developments concerning the completion of disciplinary proceedings involving Prosecutor Karim Khan following the 24 July 2026 decision of the Assembly of States. The Assembly by a majority of 82 States Parties found that Mr. Karim Khan committed serious misconduct and serious breach of duty and removed him from office under article 46 of the Rome Statute.

The Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court ("the Assembly") held a special session on disciplinary proceedings involving an elected official on 24 July 2026 at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The Assembly adopted a decision, by secret ballot, by an absolute majority of 82 States Parties, finding that Mr. Karim Khan committed serious misconduct and serious breach of duty and removed him from office under article 46 of the Rome Statute.

17 July is the Day of International Criminal Justice. It marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Rome Statute on 17 July 1998, the founding treaty of the ICC, which seeks to protect people from genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.  17 July unites all those who wish to support justice, promote victims' rights, and help prevent crimes that threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world.  

The Presidency of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute, in response to steps taken by the Governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger towards withdrawal from the Rome Statute, the treaty establishing the International Criminal Court (“ICC”), has taken note of the situation with concern.

At its meeting on 8 June 2026, the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, by qualified majority: