Operational Resilience in Challenging Contexts
Today, the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) launched its Annual Report 2025, providing a holistic view of the Office's activities, while highlighting substantial achievements made throughout a year defined by escalating conflicts, urgent investigative demands, and attempts to undermine its independent mandate.
"Over the past year, our Office has faced unprecedented challenges, yet our commitment to justice has never wavered," said Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan at the launch event. "Through strengthened investigations, more arrests, and landmark courtroom milestones, we have continued to deliver accountability for the most serious crimes."
Increased Output and Landmark Developments
32 current outstanding warrants of arrest known to the public, including 17 warrants during the period 2023-2025, illustrate a meaningful rise in the Office's operational output. Strengthened strategies on arrest and tracking fugitives, implemented in close cooperation with the Registry and supported by States Parties and a wide range of partners, have resulted in more suspects being arrested and more cases advancing before the Court.
Following the arrest of Mr Rodrigo Roa Duterte in March 2025, the Office has been preparing intensively for the related confirmation of charges hearing. The arrest of Mr Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri in the Situation in Libya similarly marked an important step forward in advancing justice efforts.
Several landmark moments in the courtroom including the convictions in the Abd-Al-Rahman case in the Situation in Darfur, Sudan, the first conviction pursuant to a United Nations Security Council referral to the ICC, and in the Yekatom and Ngaïssona case in the Situation in the Central African Republic II, as well as the first confirmation of charges hearing in the absence of the suspect in the Kony case in the Situation in Uganda defined the year.
Equally notable was the sustained trust expressed by victims and affected communities. In receiving 83,119 submissions, including more than 570,000 electronic files through its secure evidence submission platform OTP Link, the Office recorded a further increase in Article 15 communications, while its evidence holdings expanded substantially thanks to upgraded technologies and new evidence-processing systems. These improvements have significantly bolstered the Office's capacity to respond with speed and precision as crises evolve.
Strengthened Systems, Innovation, and Partnerships
Throughout the year, the Office invested in reinforcing its internal systems and enhancing collaboration across the Court and with external partners.
Deeper and more innovative cooperation with State authorities, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders has led to the successful rollout of new initiatives including the OTP Forum on Complementarity and Cooperation and the OTP-CSO Structured Dialogue, supporting enhanced understanding with partners and identifying new opportunities for collaboration.
Ensuring adaptability in applying the Statute's legal framework remained a core priority. This was reflected in the development and launch of the new Policies on Addressing Environmental Damage through the Rome Statute and Cyber-enabled Crimes under the Rome Statute.
After the launch and the implementation of the Policies on Gender Persecution (2022), on Gender-based Crimes (2023), on Children (2023), on Complementarity and Cooperation (2024) and on Slavery Crimes (2024), this concludes a significant policy development cycle of seven key policy initiatives over the last three years, which helps to respond to modern challenges and better deliver results in the courtroom.
A Foundation for Continued Progress
The achievements detailed in the Report lay a strong foundation for further progress in the year ahead. The Office emphasises that sustained solidarity and dialogue among the Court, States Parties, civil society organisations, and affected communities remain indispensable in advancing the global fight against impunity.
"We are proud of the resilience of our staff and deeply grateful to all our partners whose support made this year's achievements possible," concluded Deputy Prosecutor Khan.
"Despite considerable challenges, we continued to reach crucial milestones, and we reaffirm to all survivors and affected communities that we remain fully committed to advancing our work across all situations in 2026."
Watch the OTP Annual Report 2025 video here.
Find the full report here.
