What procedural shift is the ICC political bureau accused of making?

Question

Accepted Answer

The ICC political bureau is accused of shifting to a single-vote process that merges misconduct and removal decisions.

The ICC political bureau is accused of approving a procedure that combines two previously separate decisions into one motion decided in a single vote. The accusation is that the Assembly of States Parties, which includes 125 countries, would no longer vote first on whether serious misconduct is established and then vote again on removal.
The shift from two separate votes to one vote
The reported change is described as moving from a two-step procedure to a one-step process. Instead of handling “serious misconduct” and “removal” as two distinct decisions, the bureau is accused of merging them into one vote.
How the earlier sequence was meant to work
Under the previously described approach, the Assembly of States Parties would first determine whether serious misconduct had been established. That first finding was said to require a two-thirds majority of those present and voting, followed by a second vote on removal requiring an absolute majority.
The alleged effect of lowering the practical threshold
Khan’s lawyers argue the single-vote arrangement does not only compress timing but also lowers the effective bar for finding serious misconduct. Their position is framed around the idea that the body would be deciding the misconduct finding and the removal question together, rather than establishing misconduct first under the earlier higher-threshold sequence.
The dispute over an alternative allegation
The dispute also extends to what was put to Karim Khan during the investigation. Khan’s lawyers say an alternative allegation involving a consensual relationship said to be improper due to a power imbalance was not put to him, and they argue that replacing one allegation with another is not justice.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

What procedural shift is the ICC political bureau accused of making?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends