Four U.S.-based human rights organizations have taken legal action against the Trump administration, challenging the sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court (ICC) as unlawful. The lawsuit, filed by the American Friends Service Committee, the Center for Constitutional Rights, Human Rights Watch, and the Open Society Institute in New York’s Southern District, alleges that President Trump exceeded his authority by authorizing sanctions against ICC personnel and individuals or entities supporting the court’s activities through an executive order in February 2025. The sanctions were triggered by ICC arrest warrants issued in late 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant for alleged crimes in Gaza, which Israel has denied.
The lawsuit contends that the sanctions have impeded the human rights and legal work of the plaintiffs, infringing on their constitutional rights, including freedom of speech. According to Liz Evenson, international justice director at Human Rights Watch, the Trump administration’s targeting of the ICC undermines the rule of law crucial for global human rights protection. The White House, in response to CBC inquiries, criticized the ICC for its alleged politicization and unfettered discretion in investigating and prosecuting U.S. and allied nationals, emphasizing the U.S. commitment to safeguarding sovereignty and allies from illegitimate ICC actions.
The ICC, headquartered in The Hague, is responsible for prosecuting individuals accused of war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity, and aggression. The court’s relationship with the U.S. has been strained for years, with tensions escalating during the Trump administration, which previously sanctioned ICC officials. Last month, the U.S. government intensified efforts to dismantle the ICC, citing threats to American sovereignty. Additionally, advocacy groups challenged the Trump administration’s ICC sanctions, claiming they suppress freedom of speech and Palestinian rights advocacy. Separately, three sanctioned ICC judges, including Kimberly Prost, filed a lawsuit alleging that the sanctions unlawfully seek to influence their judicial decisions.
In a related development on Tuesday, U.S. legal groups petitioned a judge to reaffirm that the Trump administration cannot restrict birthright citizenship, following the Supreme Court’s rejection of attempts to deny citizenship to certain individuals. Despite the court ruling, President Trump recently issued executive orders aiming to limit birthright citizenship, prompting legal challenges by civil liberties organizations to prevent the potential stripping of citizenship rights through executive actions.
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