US rights groups sue Trump administration over ICC sanctions

US rights groups have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court (ICC). The American Friends Service Committee, the Center for Constitutional Rights, Human Rights Watch, and the Open Society Institute claim the sanctions are "blatantly illegal" and violate their First and Fifth Amendment rights under the US Constitution.

The groups argue that the sanctions force them to curtail their human rights and legal work, fearing legal repercussions for associating with ICC cases or officials. The sanctions were signed by President Donald Trump following a White House visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the ICC for alleged war crimes in Gaza.

The lawsuit asserts that Trump's powers to sanction the ICC are based on a "pseudo national emergency" with no factual basis.

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