The Assembly of States Parties to the International Criminal Court is expected to convene an emergency consultative session on Tuesday in The Hague, following intensifying calls from member states for a formal review of governance and oversight mechanisms at the court. The move follows renewed scrutiny of suspended ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, whose case has drawn pointed criticism from Pacific and African nations concerned about institutional accountability at the world's primary international criminal tribunal.

Fijian official Tarakinikini's public calls on Monday for scrutiny of justice institutions — directly referencing revelations tied to Khan — appear to have galvanised a coalition of smaller member states who argue the court's internal oversight body, the Independent Oversight Mechanism, lacks the authority and independence needed to handle senior prosecutorial misconduct effectively. Sources close to the Assembly indicate that at least twelve member states have formally requested agenda time at Tuesday's session.

The Khan suspension, which dates to allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of authority first surfaced in late 2024, has dragged into 2026 without resolution, fuelling a growing perception among member states that the ICC's internal mechanisms are structurally ill-equipped to discipline its most senior official. Critics have pointed to the absence of a clear timeline for resolution and what they describe as a lack of transparency in the process managed by the Bureau of the Assembly.

Tuesday's session is expected to focus on two concrete proposals: first, expanding the mandate of the Independent Oversight Mechanism to include binding disciplinary recommendations over the Prosecutor's office; and second, establishing a dedicated ad hoc panel of senior jurists from non-permanent-member states to review the Khan matter and report within 90 days. European member states, traditionally cautious about structural reforms, are said to be divided on whether to support the proposals or push for resolution through existing channels.

The Khan affair has taken on wider symbolic significance at a moment when international institutions are facing legitimacy challenges globally. Advocacy groups monitoring the ICC warned Monday that prolonged paralysis at the prosecutorial level risks delaying active investigations in Sudan, Venezuela, and the Philippines. How Tuesday's emergency consultations conclude is likely to set the tone for the ICC's annual Assembly plenary scheduled for later in the year, where a formal vote on structural reforms could be called.