The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established to ensure accountability for grave crimes, such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
Yet, under the leadership of its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, the ICC finds itself grappling with allegations of sexual harassment—a deeply troubling issue that undermines the institution’s moral standing.
Sexual harassment allegations against Karim Khan strike at the heart of the ICC’s integrity. As an institution ostensibly dedicated to justice, the ICC should hold itself and its leaders to the highest ethical standards.
The court often calls for accountability and justice in other jurisdictions; failing to address misconduct within its ranks would expose a troubling hypocrisy.
These allegations go beyond personal misconduct—they tarnish the court’s reputation and raise questions about its ability to administer impartial justice.
If the ICC cannot ensure integrity among its leadership, how can it expect to instill confidence in the global community or the individuals it prosecutes?
This scandal reinforces perceptions of a court riddled with double standards, where powerful figures escape accountability.
A tool of repression?
Critics have long accused the ICC of being a tool for Western powers to exert control over sovereign African nations. Established under the Rome Statute in 2002, the court claims to be independent.
However, its track record suggests otherwise. An overwhelming majority of ICC cases have been against African leaders, while Western nations and their allies—despite their involvement in global conflicts—have been spared from investigation.
The ICC has unfairly prosecuted many African leaders and politicians over the years.
Thomas Lubanga Dyilo of the Democratic Republic of Congo, became the first individual convicted by the ICC in 2012 for enlisting and using child soldiers in the DRC.
While his prosecution was celebrated as a milestone, critics questioned why similar cases in other parts of the world were ignored.
Uhuru Kenyatta while still Kenya’s then-deputy prime minister, for his alleged role in post-election violence in 2007-2008. However, the charges were dropped due to lack of evidence, leading to accusations of a politically motivated case designed to weaken African leaders.
Then the ICC issued Omar al-Bashir, the former president of Sudan, with an arrest warrant for genocide and war crimes in Darfur. Despite the warrant, al-Bashir traveled freely to several countries, exposing the ICC’s inability to enforce its rulings effectively.
The court’s selective focus on African leaders, despite war crimes and atrocities committed by Western nations, undermines its claims of impartiality. For instance, no U.S. or NATO official has faced prosecution for alleged war crimes in Iraq or Afghanistan, even when credible evidence has been presented.
The ICC’s imbalance becomes more glaring when examining its silence on issues involving Western countries. For example, the invasion of Iraq in 2003—widely regarded as a violation of international law—has not been subject to ICC scrutiny.
Similarly, the ongoing plight of Palestinians under Israeli occupation raises questions about the court’s jurisdictional reach and willingness to challenge Western allies.
African leaders and intellectuals increasingly view the ICC as a neocolonial instrument used to undermine African sovereignty.
This sentiment has fueled calls for the continent to establish its judicial mechanisms, such as the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to address crimes within Africa without external interference.
Karim Khan’s leadership comes at a time when the ICC is already struggling to defend its relevance. The allegations against him exacerbate the court’s crises, drawing attention to its internal dysfunction and ethical lapses.
These issues are symptomatic of a larger problem: the ICC’s inability to navigate its dual mandate of justice and political neutrality.
Under Khan’s tenure, the court’s legitimacy faces erosion from within and without. His presence as chief prosecutor, despite the allegations, sends a disturbing message: accountability is demanded of others but not practiced internally. This contradiction weakens the ICC’s ability to inspire confidence in its mission.
To salvage its credibility, the ICC must address the allegations against Khan with transparency and integrity. An independent investigation into the claims of sexual harassment is essential, and if the allegations are substantiated, Khan should step down.
Leadership must embody the values of justice, accountability, and fairness that the ICC espouses.
The ICC was founded to uphold justice and accountability, but under Khan, its moral authority has been called into question.
The allegations of sexual harassment against him, combined with the court’s disproportionate focus on African leaders, underscore a deep crisis within the institution.
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Liverpool lucky during key Champions League moment admits TNT pundit
Luis Diaz was fouled in Liverpool clash. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Liverpool were 1-0 winners over Girona in the Champions League on Tuesday night and former Reds star Steve McManaman feels his old club got a little lucky. The Merseyside club arrived into the clash in Spain having won all five of their Champions League matches and Arne Slot’s men kept up their 100 per cent record with the victory.Girona caused Liverpool a lot of problems in the first half and the Reds boss can thank his goalkeeper Alisson Becker for keeping the home side out. The Merseyside outfit were much better in the second 45 minutes and it was during this half that the biggest talking point of the game emerged.Donny van de Beek would commit a clumsy challenge on Luis Diaz – who has recently been linked with a move away from Anfield – in the Girona box when the Dutch midfielder barely stepped on the winger’s heel.The referee viewed the coming together as a foul after being sent to the VAR monitor, resulting in Mohamed Salah converting the spot-kick.The incident sparked a lot of debate on social media and former Liverpool star Steve McManaman felt his old club were lucky to get the decision.
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Steve McManaman on the Liverpool penalty incident
Liverpool star Luis Diaz earned Liverpool a penalty. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)Speaking after the match, McManaman stated that he thought the penalty was harsh and compared it to the unpunished fouls that often happen during corners and free-kicks.“You expect the midfielders to go to close down and if you stand on an inch of his heel, it is very unfortunate,” the pundit said on TNT Sports. “With all respect, it is a contact game. We see a lot more contact at corners and free-kicks that go unmentioned so I don’t think it was a penalty regardless of the result.”
“He’s given the referee an opportunity to make a decision or VAR to get involved” ?@rioferdy5 and Steve McManaman give their verdict on Liverpool’s penalty ?
? @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/wwH4emYXiI
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 10, 2024Liverpool will feel fortunate that they were awarded the penalty but Van de Beek gave the referee a decision to make after making the clumsy foul in their own box.Slot’s men were not at their best in Spain but as seen several times this season, the Reds found a way to come away from the match with all three points. https://www.caughtoffside.com/2024/12/10/liverpool-champions-league-tnt/
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Get this awesome Samsung soundbar with Dolby Atmos for just $200 today
When it comes to home theater sound, one of the best brands to go with is Samsung. Over the last several years, Samsung surround sound systems and soundbars have done a phenomenal job at enhancing movie nights, which is why we’re always on the lookout for Samsung soundbar deals. As luck would have it, we came across a great one earlier today:
Right now, when you purchase the Samsung 3.1ch HW-Q6CC Soundbar, you’ll only pay $200. At full price, this model sells for $380.
Why you should buy the Samsung 3.1ch HW-Q6CC Soundbar
The HW-Q6CC is a Dolby Atmos soundbar, which means it can virtualize a full Atmos speaker configuration. Expect immersive audio, regardless of where you choose to sit or stand, plus a nice balance of highs, mids, and lows. And if you ever decide to relocate the soundbar to another room, Samsung’s Adaptive Sound Lite tech will automatically recalibrate the HW-Q6CC to the new space you place it in. Connectivity couldn’t be more effortless either: Thanks to HDMI eARC, you only have to worry about one wire going to your TV.
Far more than a home theater system, you’ll also be able to use the HW-Q6CC to stream music from a phone or tablet using Bluetooth. Pair two devices simultaneously and enjoy fast playback with Samsung’s Tap Sound feature, which lets you start playing a song from your phone through the Samsung soundbar just by tapping one device to the other.
While it’s hard to say how long this markdown is going to last, Samsung deals like this one have gone pretty quickly in the past. That being said, today might be the best day to save. Take $180 off the Samsung 3.1ch HW-Q6CC Soundbar when you purchase at Walmart, and be sure to check out our list of the best Walmart deals for even more holiday discounts!
https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/samsung-hw-q6cc-soundbar-deal-walmart-december-2024/
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H&G Advocates Accused of Forgery as Court Documents in Walugembe Case Face Scrutiny
The case in which two city lawyers are accused of forgery has taken a new twist after a prominent law firm has been implicated for alleged convenience in misleading court.
In the letter dated December 3, 2024 to the Inspector of Courts, pastor Daniel Walugembe has accused the lawyers, Robert Ssenfuka and Umar Nyanzi of SK and Partners Advocates of colluding with their colleagues at H&G Advocates to commit the alleged crimes.
Through his lawyers, Walugembe states that there is coordinated convenience between H&G Advocates and SK and Partners Advocates whose sole intention is to mislead and bias court against him which is very unfortunate and regrettable.
“Your worship, it is evident that in the letter written by H&G Advocates dated 23rd December 2021, requested for certified copies of proceedings, plaint, affidavit of service, and written statement of defense, consent judgment and decree in Civil Suit No. 699of 2017. Indeed in the letter dated 9th December 2022,” reads the petition adding that Natukunda Jeneva the Deputy Registrar certified the same documents.
According to the petition seeking for the intervention of the judiciary authorities into the matter, Walugembe insists that nowhere the registrar “gave any agreement to H&G advocates which they purportedly passed on to SK and Partners who are their conduits.”
Petition indicates that H&G Advocates is the law firm that represents Makerere University in the case litigated with Walugembe before the Land Division of the High Court; “But at no single point has H&G ever brought this purported sale agreement to disapprove or show inconsistent in his claim.”
The petition copied to the Chief Justice and other lawyers, the lawyers; Ssenfuka and Nyanzi are accused of concocting information and documents with a view of misleading court.
Through his lawyers of Alma Associated Advocates, Walugembe accused the lawyers of misleading court in the sworn statements to the principal judge that their client, Dr Ntwatwa Lule has never been party to earlier cases before the High Court.
“On that basis alone, it is our considered view that a person who can advise his client to lie on oath cannot be trusted at all. To demonstrate to you the perpetual lies of the accused persons in the affidavit they drafted for their client, drawn by SK and Partners Advocates, they advised their client to lie that he has never been party to application number 434 of 2019,” reads the complaint.
The petition copied to the chief justice, judicial authorities and lawyers was in response to complaints challenging the private prosecution of the lawyers Ssenfuka and Nyanzi.
Ssenfuka and Nyanzi both attached to SK & Partners Advocates are accused of fraud in regard to alleged forgery of agreements for Kibanja in Katanga near Wandegeya.
Last week, the Magistrates Court at Buganda Road, Jalia Basajjabalaba issued criminal summons against Ssenfuka and Nyanzi to answer accusations of forgery and uttering false
The duo is expected to appear in court on December 17, 2024 for plea taking and also for hearing formal application in which they are challenging the legality of the charges.
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It is alleged that the lawyers Ssenfuka and Nyanzi attached to SK & Partners Advocates while acting for and on behalf of their client, Dr Ntwatwa Lule committed criminal acts.
Court documents indicate that the accused lawyers are alleged to have committed forgery, uttering false documents and conspired to commit a felony when knowingly and unlawfully altered sales agreements dated February 9, 1996 and August 13, 1996 respectively.
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