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Elections took place to elect the next Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. Mr. Karim Khan QC, who was nominated for the position by the United Kingdom, was elected by the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute in New York. Judge Fergal Gaynor, nominated by Ireland, received the second highest number of votes.  

Speaking on the election, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Coveney T.D., said:

“I would like to congratulate Mr. Karim Khan QC on the occasion of his election to the position of ICC Prosecutor. I would also like to thank all States Parties who joined us in supporting Judge Fergal Gaynor in his candidacy for this position.

“The ICC is central to the international criminal justice and accountability framework. Ireland has consistently highlighted the significance of the Prosecutor position for the Court, and the need to identify a Prosecutor supported by the majority of States Parties. I am pleased that this was achieved and I hope that all States Parties can now unite behind the work of the new Prosecutor.

"I look forward to continuing our strong support for the work of the ICC, which ensures accountability for the most serious crimes of international concern.

"I would also like to thank Judge Gaynor for putting himself forward for this position. Throughout his candidacy, he has acquitted himself with the utmost professionalism and integrity and we were proud to name him as Ireland’s nominee for this important position.  I wish Judge Gaynor well in his continuing work as Reserve International Co-Prosecutor at the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia and Judge on the Roster of International Judges of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers”

Mr. Khan will begin his nine-year term in June 2021.

 Notes for Editors

• The election for Prosecutor of the ICC took place today, 12 February 2021, at the second resumed session of the 19th Assembly of States Party to the Rome Statute in New York. The Prosecutor is elected to a nine-year term.
• The Prosecutor was elected by absolute majority, with the 123 Members of the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statute of the ICC voting by secret ballot. A list of States Parties can be found here.
• There were four candidates: Judge Fergal Gaynor, nominated by Ireland; Mr Karim Khan QC, nominated by the United Kingdom; Mr Carlos Castresana Fernández, nominated by Spain; and Mr. Francesco Lo Voi, nominated by Italy.
• Further information is available here: https://asp.icc-cpi.int/en_menus/asp/elections/prosecutor/Pages/Prosecutor2020.aspx