Ottawa supports ousting ICC prosecutor Karim Khan but won’t say how it voted

OTTAWA — Ottawa says it supports the decision by International Criminal Court members to oust prosecutor Karim Khan but won’t say whether Canada voted on his expulsion.

Global Affairs Canada says it backs the outcome of last Friday’s vote, which saw 82 of the global court’s 125 voting members choose to fire Khan, who rejects allegations of sexual harassment.

“Canada supports the outcome of the special session. The court can continue fulfilling its mandate with independence, integrity and credibility,” wrote Global Affairs spokeswoman Thida Ith.

“Canada will continue to support a victim- and witness-centred approach across the work of the court, recognizing the essential role of victims and witnesses in the pursuit of international justice.”

The Israeli government has claimed that Khan rushed through an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on war crimes in order to distract from the allegations against him.

The ICC says its work is not shaped by political pressure or personal motives.

International law experts such as Kenneth Roth have said the Netanyahu warrant remains in place and was issued through an independent process involving multiple officials.

The Netherlands and France have said they supported ousting Khan in the secret ballot vote.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29, 2026.

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press