INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT REMOVES CHIEF PROSECUTOR KARIM KHAN AMID MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONSCOMPARATIVE VIEW
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Member states of the International Criminal Court voted to remove chief prosecutor Karim Khan, who faces sexual misconduct allegations, plunging the institution into an internal crisis. The move comes as the Court handles sensitive cases, including arrest warrants against Israeli leaders, and reignites debate over its credibility, independence and the future of international justice.
🇧🇪 Belgium vs 🇵🇰 Pakistan
FRAMING GAP
30/100LOW
Belgique: Brussels is concerned about an International Criminal Court that "is self-destructing," according to a former Belgian magistrate,… — Pakistan: Islamabad separates the pride sparked by a son of the Pakistani diaspora from the credibility crisis now affecting the…
Here are the main framing differences identified between media coverages.
ANALYSIS BY COUNTRY
BELGIUMDOMINANT ANGLE
Brussels is concerned about an International Criminal Court that "is self-destructing," according to a former Belgian magistrate, even though a Belgian judge had previously cleared Karim Khan.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- •Belgium's capital is witnessing a significant development as 82 out of 125 States Parties to the International Criminal Court voted to revoke Karim Khan's position, exceeding the required 63 votes, while only 13 States voted for his retention
- •The independent panel of three judges, including Belgian judge Paul Lemmens, reviewed a 5,000-page report and unanimously concluded that there was no evidence against Khan
- •Former Belgian International Criminal Court judge Christine Van den Wyngaert states that the Court is "consumed from within" and has become "completely incredulous"
BIASES
Judicially centered framing: strong focus on the role of Belgian judge Paul Lemmens and the verdict of the independent panel, which received little attention in coverage from other countriesPreference for critical Belgian voices (Van den Wyngaert) on the credibility of the Court, over the official positions of states in favor of the voteLimited coverage of the status of ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) cases, including the arrest warrants against Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu, following Khan's departure
PAKISTANDOMINANT ANGLE
Islamabad separates the pride sparked by a son of the Pakistani diaspora from the credibility crisis now affecting the International Criminal Court.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- •Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, has been closely following the developments as 82 out of 125 member states of the ICC voted on Friday to oust Karim Khan, who has been suspended since May 2025.
- •In Pakistan, many have been watching the case of a Malaysian lawyer, identified as Sarah, who described to media a physical altercation stemming from a power imbalance.
- •The Pakistani government is aware that the US has imposed sanctions on eleven ICC judges and prosecutors, including Karim Khan, in connection with arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant.
BIASES
Pakistan-focused framing: strong attention is given to Karim Khan's Pakistani origin, which is barely present in foreign coverage.Preference for international English-language sources (Reuters, CNN) relayed as is, rather than original Pakistani analyses.Low coverage of the concrete consequences for the International Criminal Court's other ongoing cases, beyond the Israeli aspect.
BELGIUMDOMINANT ANGLE
Brussels is concerned about an International Criminal Court that "is self-destructing," according to a former Belgian magistrate, even though a Belgian judge had previously cleared Karim Khan.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- •Belgium's capital is witnessing a significant development as 82 out of 125 States Parties to the International Criminal Court voted to revoke Karim Khan's position, exceeding the required 63 votes, while only 13 States voted for his retention
- •The independent panel of three judges, including Belgian judge Paul Lemmens, reviewed a 5,000-page report and unanimously concluded that there was no evidence against Khan
- •Former Belgian International Criminal Court judge Christine Van den Wyngaert states that the Court is "consumed from within" and has become "completely incredulous"
BIASES
Judicially centered framing: strong focus on the role of Belgian judge Paul Lemmens and the verdict of the independent panel, which received little attention in coverage from other countriesPreference for critical Belgian voices (Van den Wyngaert) on the credibility of the Court, over the official positions of states in favor of the voteLimited coverage of the status of ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) cases, including the arrest warrants against Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu, following Khan's departure
PAKISTANDOMINANT ANGLE
Islamabad separates the pride sparked by a son of the Pakistani diaspora from the credibility crisis now affecting the International Criminal Court.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- •Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, has been closely following the developments as 82 out of 125 member states of the ICC voted on Friday to oust Karim Khan, who has been suspended since May 2025.
- •In Pakistan, many have been watching the case of a Malaysian lawyer, identified as Sarah, who described to media a physical altercation stemming from a power imbalance.
- •The Pakistani government is aware that the US has imposed sanctions on eleven ICC judges and prosecutors, including Karim Khan, in connection with arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant.
BIASES
Pakistan-focused framing: strong attention is given to Karim Khan's Pakistani origin, which is barely present in foreign coverage.Preference for international English-language sources (Reuters, CNN) relayed as is, rather than original Pakistani analyses.Low coverage of the concrete consequences for the International Criminal Court's other ongoing cases, beyond the Israeli aspect.