US-based rights groups sue Trump admin over ICC sanctions

Four human rights groups in the United States have sued the Trump administration for “illegally sanctioning” individuals and organizations affiliated with the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of New York on August 11 by the American Friends Service Committee, Center for Constitutional Rights, Human Rights Watch, and Open Society Institute.

The plaintiffs are challenging President Donald Trump’s executive order, which authorized sanctions on ICC officials, judges, and others working with the Hague-based court.

The organisations described the action as an “illegal attack” on international justice and should be struck down, as it hinders a wide range of human rights and legal work.

They noted that, by extension, the sanctions run counter to the provisions of First and Fifth Amendment rights under the US Constitution and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

The lawsuit argues that the sanctions imposed on February 6, 2025, exceed the president’s powers and are based on a “pseudo national emergency that has no basis in fact.”

Lead counsel Andrew Loewenstein said the rallying and litigation by multiple bodies demonstrates the order’s disruption to legal efforts to bring those responsible for grave crimes to justice.

“The plaintiffs are seeking an end to these sanctions, which transgresses the president’s authority and violate international and US law, including the rights to freedom of expression and religion,” he added.

Joyce Ajlouny, General Secretary of the AFSC, called the U.S. government’s move to dismantle the ICC and punish people seeking justice “an affront to all victims and survivors of war crimes and genocide.”

“We are joining this lawsuit because we refuse to stay silent when the pursuit of justice is criminalised,” Ajlouny explained, saying the presidential order seeks to intimidate human rights defenders.

Liz Evenson of the Human Rights Watch, emphasised that the groups are defending international justice from attacks and encouraged governments to protect the ICC and those seeking justice before it.

The Trump administration has sanctioned ICC prosecutors, eight ICC judges, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Palestinian Territory occupied since 1967, and three Palestinian human rights groups.

Secretary of State, Marco Rubio recently announced a campaign to “dismantle” the ICC for attempting to prosecute U.S. officials and servicemen. Washington is urging member countries to leave the court.