Pursuing Justice for Mass Atrocities: A Conversation with ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan
Channel: United States Institute of Peace
Date: 2022-04-26

Atrocity crimes — war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression — threaten national and global security by violating our most fundamental international norms and the rights of civilian populations. Responding to such crimes is therefore a global responsibility, one frequently led by the International Criminal Court (ICC). With atrocities ongoing in Ukraine and elsewhere, the ICC prosecutor plays a critical role in holding perpetrators accountable and delivering justice to victims.

Elected ICC prosecutor in 2021, Karim Khan has worked to advance justice for victims of mass atrocities, to raise the profile of the ICC’s work and to explore new models for achieving accountability for atrocity crimes. Khan recently presented opening arguments in the prosecution of a senior Janjaweed commander allegedly responsible for the atrocities committed by the regime of former Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir. The trial is the first prosecution of any senior leader for the atrocities committed in Darfur and fills a considerable gap in providing justice to victims of these crimes.

Khan also responded swiftly to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, opening an investigation and working with Ukrainian officials to facilitate evidence collection. Further, Khan has expanded the ICC’s investigative capacity, including through the establishment of a fund that allows the ICC to use technological tools to collect evidence. Khan has also worked to support states and regional bodies in holding perpetrators of mass atrocities accountable, allowing the ICC to fulfill its role as the court of last resort.

Please join USIP for a conversation with ICC Prosecutor Khan during his first official visit to Washington. The conversation will consider Prosecutor Khan’s efforts to secure justice for victims of mass atrocities, the challenges faced by the ICC in responding to ongoing atrocities in Ukraine and elsewhere, and his priorities for his tenure in the office.

Speakers:
Lise Grande, moderator
President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace

Karim A. A. Khan, QC
Prosecutor, International Criminal Court

Learn more: https://www.usip.org/events/pursuing-justice-mass-atrocities-conversation-icc-prosecutor-karim-khan

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The United States Institute of Peace is a national, nonpartisan, independent institute, founded by Congress and dedicated to the proposition that a world without violent conflict is possible, practical and essential for U.S. and global security. In conflict zones abroad, the Institute works with local partners to prevent, mitigate, and resolve violent conflict. To reduce future crises and the need for costly interventions, USIP works with governments and civil societies to build local capacities to manage conflict peacefully. The Institute pursues its mission by linking research, policy, training, analysis and direct action to support those who are working to build a more peaceful, inclusive world. Learn more about USIP: https://www.usip.org/about