82 UN Member States Vote in Secret on Key International Issue

The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Chief Prosecutor, Karim Khan, was removed from his position during a secret ballot vote at a closed-door emergency session of the United Nations Security Council in New York, according to RaiNews. The decision, reached during an extraordinary meeting on July 24, 2026, involved 82 member states, with the vote conducted under strict confidentiality protocols.

The vote took place at the UN headquarters in New York, marking the first time since the ICC’s establishment in 2002 that a chief prosecutor has been removed through such a procedure. The Security Council’s action followed allegations of procedural irregularities and conflicts of interest within the ICC’s investigations, according to sources familiar with the discussions. However, no official documentation or public statement from the ICC or the Security Council has been released to corroborate these claims.

RaiNews, an Italian state broadcaster, reported that the resolution to remove Khan was approved by a majority of the 15 Security Council members. The agency cited “internal diplomatic channels” for the information, though no direct quotes from council members were provided. The ICC, which prosecutes individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, has not issued a public response to the development.

Khan, a British lawyer of Pakistani origin, had served as ICC prosecutor since 2021. His tenure was marked by high-profile investigations into conflicts in Palestine, Myanmar, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The removal comes amid growing tensions between the ICC and several member states, including the United States and China, which have criticized the court’s jurisdiction and impartiality in recent years.

The Security Council’s decision to act in secret has raised questions about transparency in international judicial processes. Under UN rules, the council’s internal deliberations are typically not disclosed to the public, but the use of a secret ballot in this case is unusual. A spokesperson for the UN Secretariat declined to comment on the matter, stating that “the Security Council’s internal procedures are not subject to public scrutiny.”

Legal experts have noted that the ICC’s statutes do not explicitly outline a mechanism for removing a chief prosecutor through a Security Council vote. The court’s founding treaty, the Rome Statute, allows for the resignation or impeachment of officials by the Assembly of States Parties, a separate body composed of ICC member states. The Security Council’s involvement in this case appears to be a deviation from standard procedures, though the reasons remain unclear.

Analysts suggest the move could signal a broader shift in the balance of power between the ICC and major global powers. “This decision undermines the court’s independence and sets a dangerous precedent for judicial accountability,” said Dr. Lena Müller, a professor of international law at the University of Geneva. “If powerful states can unilaterally remove ICC officials, the court’s ability to investigate atrocities will be severely compromised.”

The ICC’s next steps remain uncertain. The court’s Assembly of States Parties is scheduled to meet in September 2026, but it is unclear whether the body will address the removal or seek to restore Khan’s position. Meanwhile, the Security Council’s actions have drawn criticism from human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, which warned of “a dangerous escalation in the politicization of international justice.”

RaiNews reported that the vote was conducted after weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations among Security Council members. The agency cited “diplomatic sources” who described the process as “highly contentious,” with some members advocating for Khan’s removal over concerns about the ICC’s “overreach” in certain cases. However, no specific allegations against Khan were disclosed in the report.

The development has also sparked debate within the ICC’s own ranks. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the court “will continue its work without interruption, regardless of external pressures.” However, the official acknowledged that the removal of a chief prosecutor “poses significant challenges to the court’s operational stability.”

As of July 25, 2026, no formal statement has been issued by the ICC or the Security Council. The court’s website remains unchanged, with Khan’s profile still listed as “Chief Prosecutor.” Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has not confirmed or denied the report, leaving the situation in a state of uncertainty.