US sanctions Nazhat Shameem Khan and three ICC officials under EO 14203 for alleged “malign” actions against the United States and Israel
The United States on May 23, 2025 designated Fijian jurist Nazhat Shameem Khan, the ICC deputy prosecutor, along with three senior ICC officials, under Executive Order 14203. Washington said the sanctions target individuals involved in ICC actions to investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute U.S. or Israeli nationals without their governments’ consent, aiming to impose tangible consequences on those it views as engaging in ICC activities it deems illegitimate.
The sanctions impose a complete freeze on Khan’s property or interests in the United States and prohibit U.S. persons from conducting transactions with her. The State Department described Khan’s designation as part of ongoing U.S. efforts to counter what it calls the ICC’s “transgressions” against the United States and Israel, particularly the court’s upholding of arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes related to Gaza.
In addition to Khan, the other ICC officials designated are Judge Kimberly Prost, for authorising the ICC’s Afghanistan investigations targeting U.S. personnel; Judge Nicolas Guillou, for authorising arrest warrants for Israeli leaders; and Mame Mandiaye Niang, fellow Deputy Prosecutor, for co-leading the prosecution office with Khan.
Khan is described in the U.S. statement as a former Chief Justice of Fiji’s High Court and a prominent figure in international law who joined the ICC in 2022 as Deputy Prosecutor. The sanctions reflect the U.S. position that ICC actions against U.S. and Israeli nationals undermine sovereign interests and are not sanctioned by Washington.
Context and implications
– The move comes amid broader debates over the ICC’s reach and jurisdiction, and it intersects with ongoing governance concerns in Fiji, where Khan has been a prominent figure in the country’s legal landscape. Related coverage in recent weeks has touched on leadership roles within Fiji’s anti-corruption and judicial oversight bodies, illustrating a regional backdrop of accountability debates that accompany international legal actions.
– Analysts say the sanctions could complicate cooperation between the ICC and the United States, potentially affecting international judicial collaboration and the ICC’s ability to secure support for certain investigations. They also highlight the broader trend of major powers scrutinizing or pushing back against ICC actions they view as overreaching.
Additional context
– The designation underscores a broader U.S. posture toward international institutions it perceives as acting against American and Israeli interests, using tools like EO 14203 to curb or discipline actors tied to ICC operations.
– Observers note that while the sanctions target specific individuals, the ripple effects may touch institutions and partners connected to the ICC, influencing dialogues about judicial independence, sovereignty, and the appropriate balance between international accountability and national prerogatives.
Overall takeaway
This development signals heightened friction between the United States and certain ICC actions, illustrating how geopolitical considerations can intersect with international criminal justice and prompting ongoing discussions about the future of cooperation between major powers and international judicial bodies.
Leave a comment