Human Rights Groups Sue Trump Administration Over ICC Sanctions

Four human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, the American Friends Service Committee, the Centre for Constitutional Rights, and the Open Society Institute, have filed a lawsuit in the Southern District of New York against the Trump administration. The lawsuit challenges sanctions imposed on judges and prosecutors of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which include asset freezes and entry bans. These measures were issued in February 2025 shortly after the start of President Trump's second term, primarily in response to the court's actions regarding members of the Israeli government and investigations into crimes in Palestine.

The plaintiffs argue that the executive order is illegal and violates the US Constitution, specifically citing protections for freedom of speech and due process under the First and Fifth Amendments. The 101 page complaint asserts that the sanctions represent an attack on the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, which in turn hinders the prosecution of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Lead counsel Andrew Loewenstein stated that the order causes widespread harm to civil society groups dedicated to international justice.

The US and Israel are not members of the ICC. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has previously expressed a desire to dismantle the institution, stating that no tribunal should stand above US law. The US government and the State Department did not immediately comment on the filing.