Who is Karim Khan?

British-Pakistani attorney Karim Asad Ahmad Khan focuses on international criminal law and international human rights law.

The head prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim Khan, is a man with a purpose. Since his appointment in June 2021, Khan has dedicated his time to preserving international law. Bringing justice to those who have committed serious crimes is his aim. Khan has gained recognition all over the world for his tenacity and sense of urgency.

By Israeli standards, Mr. Khan's announcement on Monday that he had requested arrest warrants for three Hamas leaders and two prominent Israeli officials, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, was extraordinary.

Before joining the International Criminal Court, the British attorney represented victims in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, worked as a war crimes defense lawyer, and looked into crimes committed by ISIS.

• Karim Khan Social Network: Karim A. A. Khan KC (@KarimKhanQC) / X

Who is Karim Khan: Biography, Wife, Childrens and Religion
British-Pakistani lawyer Karim Khan

Karim Khan: Birthday, Parents, Education and Early Career

On March 30, 1970, in Edinburgh, Scotland, Karim Khan was born. Born in Mardan, Pakistan, his father is a consultant dermatologist. Britain is where his mother, a state-registered nurse, was born.

Khan obtained a master's degree in international law after studying law at King's College London. In England, he started out as a barrister. He gained a solid reputation over time for his contributions to international law and human rights.

Khan held a number of positions in international legal organizations prior to joining the ICC. He worked as a defense attorney for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). He was employed by the Special Court for Sierra Leone as a prosecutor as well. His perspective on international justice has been shaped by these encounters, which have also equipped him for his position at the ICC.

Key Facts for Education and Early Career

• Khan was born March 30, 1970, in Edinburgh, Scotland.

• He attended Silcoates School in West Yorkshire and graduated with an LLB degree and AKC (Associate of King's College) from King's College London.

• Khan was admitted to the Bar of England and Wales by Lincoln's Inn in 1992.

• He pursued a DPhil in law at Wolfson College, Oxford, but did not complete the course and does not have a doctorate.

• Khan served as a Crown Prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service of England and Wales from 1993 to 1996, rising to the position of Senior Crown Prosecutor by 1995.

Karim Khan: Personal Life, Wife, Sons

Khan is a part of the Muslim community of Ahmadiyya. His first marriage was to Yasmin Rehman Mona, who was the daughter of Mirza Tahir Ahmad, the fourth caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

He is currently wed to Malaysian lawyer Dato Shyamala Alagendra.

Khan has a sister, two brothers, and two sons.

Imran Ahmad Khan, a convicted sex offender and former British Conservative MP, is one of his brothers.

Dato Shyamala Alagendra is a highly experienced Malaysian lawyer, having accumulated 25 years of professional practice.She holds the position of Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions in Fiji.She worked as a Prosecution lawyer at the Special Panel for Serious Crimes in Timor Leste, the Special Court for Sierra Leone in Sierra Leone, and the International Criminal Court. She served as a Defense Counsel at the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, EULEX Court in Kosovo, and at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for both the Kenya cases and for Saif Al-Islam Gadafi.

In addition, she serves as legal counsel for individuals who have experienced human rights violations and sexual abuse in various regions of Africa and Asia.In 2018, Shyamala was chosen as one of the 150 Leading Women by the University of London to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of women being granted admission to university education in Britain. She is recognized as an Inspirational Figure among the distinguished students of the University of London.

• Dato Shyamala Alagendra Social Network: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dato-shyamala-alagendra-khan-52015b52/

Religion

Khan, an Ahmadiyya, is a self-described "practicing Muslim" who frequently quotes the Quran in public speeches.

Ahmadis identify as Muslims, and as a minority group in several countries with a majority of Muslims, they have faced persecution after being called non-Muslims and even Israeli agents.

Karim Khan claims that his volunteer work in the Ahmaddiya community, whose headquarters were moved to the UK in the 1980s due to a law passed in Pakistan prohibiting Ahmadis from identifying as Muslims, "helped me gravitate to this area (of human rights)".

Karim Khan has faced criticism in the past for representing William Ruto, the vice president of Kenya, in court when he was accused of crimes against humanity in the wake of the 2007 post-election violence that claimed 1,200 lives.

He also came under fire for standing up for Charles Taylor, the former president of Liberia, who had been found guilty of war crimes.

Leadership at the ICC

Since assuming office, Khan has concentrated on a number of well-known cases. His approach exudes a feeling of urgency. According to him, justice postponed is justice denied. Simplifying the ICC's procedures has been one of his top goals. His goal is to increase the court's effectiveness and efficiency.

Khan has demonstrated leadership in a number of investigations. He has worked on cases involving genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. His artistic sphere encompasses several continents, such as Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Khan is renowned for taking an active role. He frequently visits areas of conflict in order to obtain information and speak with victims.

There have been difficulties throughout Khan's term. The ICC is being criticized by a number of sources. Some contend that the court has a bias against nations in Africa. Some people think it's insufficiently effective. Khan has directly addressed these worries. He has underlined the impartiality and dedication of the ICC to ensuring justice for all.

The court's limited resources present one of Khan's biggest obstacles. The ICC has a tight budget and a lot of work. Khan has made no secret of the need for increased financing. He thinks the ICC can accomplish more and prosecute more offenders if it is given sufficient funding.

International law is already greatly impacted by Khan's work at the ICC. He has drawn attention to cases that were not given much attention before. His efforts have resulted in the prosecution of those guilty of grave offenses. This has made it very clear that there will be no more impunity.

The investigation into war crimes in Ukraine is one prominent example. Khan's group has been collaborating with Ukrainian authorities and obtaining evidence. The importance of the ICC in handling modern conflicts has been brought to light by this case. It also emphasizes Khan's dedication to justice in spite of the difficulties.

• From 1997 to 1998, he worked as a Legal Officer at the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

• Khan worked as a Legal Adviser for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) until 2000.

• Between 2006 and 2007, he served as former Liberian President Charles Taylor's lead defense counsel before the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL).

• Khan has been involved in major cases at the ICC, ICTY, ICTR, Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC), and the Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL).

In Conclusion

Khan has made substantial contributions to the field of international justice and human rights. As the ICC Prosecutor, his role remains vital in tackling war crimes and advancing accountability on a global scale.

Presently, Karim Khan and the International Criminal Court (ICC) are garnering global scrutiny, yet there is a dearth of information regarding his personal life, including details about his spouse, offspring, and wealth.

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