ICC Chief Prosecutor Suspended Pending Disciplinary Decision
國際刑事法院首席檢察官在紀律處分決定前被停職
Introduction
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has suspended its Chief Prosecutor, Karim Khan, after an investigation into claims of sexual misconduct.
國際刑事法院（ICC）在對一項性騷擾指控進行調查後，決定停職其首席檢察官 Karim Khan。
Main Body
The suspension happened after the court's oversight body recommended disciplinary action. This decision is the result of a process that lasted over two years, starting with allegations that Mr. Khan had nonconsensual sexual contact with a female employee. According to a report by the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), this behavior allegedly took place in the office, at a private home, and during official trips. Specifically, it is claimed that he touched the aide without her consent and restricted her movement in the office.
此次停職是在法院監督機構建議採取紀律處分後發生的。這一決定是經過超過兩年的程序而得出的，起因是指控 Khan 先生與一名女職員有非自願的性接觸。根據聯合國內部監督服務處（OIOS）的報告，此行為據稱發生在辦公室、私人住宅以及出差期間。具體而言，指控稱他在未經同意的情況下觸摸該名助手，並在辦公室限制其行動。
Different groups within the organization have reacted differently to these findings. For instance, while the OIOS report found evidence of nonconsensual contact, a panel of three judges decided that the evidence was not strong enough to be certain. However, the Bureau of the Assembly of States Parties—the ICC's executive committee—emphasized that serious misconduct did occur, basing their decision on the OIOS report and expert legal advice.
組織內不同的團體對這些發現反應不一。例如，雖然 OIOS 報告發現了非自願接觸的證據，但一個由三名法官組成的小組認為證據不足，無法確定。然而，締約國大會局（即 ICC 的執行委員會）強調確實發生了嚴重失職，其決定是基於 OIOS 報告和專家的法律建議。
Regarding the legal process, the Assembly of States Parties will now decide if Mr. Khan can keep his job. A special meeting will be held where 125 member states will vote in secret; 63 votes are needed to remove him. Furthermore, Mr. Khan had already taken a leave of absence in May 2025 and is no longer involved in the case against former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Mr. Khan continues to deny all the accusations.
關於法律程序，締約國大會現在將決定 Khan 先生是否能保留其職位。將舉行一次特別會議，由 125 個成員國進行秘密投票；需要 63 票即可將其撤職。此外，Khan 先生已於 2025 年 5 月請假，不再參與針對菲律賓前總統 Rodrigo Duterte 的案件。Khan 先生繼續否認所有指控。
Conclusion
Mr. Khan will remain suspended until the Assembly of States Parties holds a formal vote to decide if he should be removed from his position.
在締約國大會舉行正式投票以決定其是否應被撤職之前，Khan 先生將維持停職狀態。
Vocabulary Learning
⚡ The 'Hedging' Shift: From A2 Certainty to B2 Precision
At the A2 level, you usually speak in facts: "He did this" or "It happened." But in professional and academic English (B2), we use Hedging. This means using cautious language to avoid sounding too aggressive or being 100% certain when a legal process is still ongoing.
🔍 Spotting the 'Softeners' in the Text
Look at how the article avoids saying Mr. Khan is definitely guilty. Instead of saying "He touched her," it uses:
- "Allegedly" This behavior allegedly took place...
- "It is claimed that" ...it is claimed that he touched the aide...
- "Findings" ...reacted differently to these findings.
🛠️ How to upgrade your speaking
| A2 Style (Too Direct) | B2 Style (Professional/Hedged) | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| He is a liar. | It is alleged that he lied. | Protects you from being wrong. |
| The plan failed. | There is evidence that the plan failed. | Bases the claim on a source. |
| I think this is wrong. | It appears that this is incorrect. | Sounds more objective. |
Coach's Tip: Whenever you are talking about a problem at work or a news story, stop using "is/are" and start using "It is claimed that..." or "Allegedly." This one shift moves you from 'basic speaker' to 'sophisticated communicator'.