US rights groups sue Trump administration over ICC sanctions

Four US-based human rights organizations have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for imposing sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC). American Friends Service Committee, Center for Constitutional Rights, Human Rights Watch and Open Society Institute jointly accused the sanctions as "blatantly illegal".

They argued that these measures are infringing upon their constitutional rights under the First and Fifth Amendment, as well as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. The groups highlighted that anyone associated with ICC cases or officials might now face legal consequences due to these sanctions.

Donald Trump, who had assumed the presidency in late January 2025, signed an executive order sanctioning the ICC in relation to its investigations into high-ranking Israeli officials. British barrister Karim Khan, who served as the ICC's chief prosecutor, was the sole individual named in the sanctions list. However, Khan was subsequently removed from the sanctions list after a vote by member states, a decision made despite allegations of sexual assault, which he has denied.

The executive order followed a visit to the White House by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently wanted by the ICC for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Gaza since October 2023.