US rights groups sue Trump over ICC sanctions

New York - Four human rights organizations filed a lawsuit against US President Donald Trump on Tuesday, arguing his sanctions targeting the International Criminal Court (ICC) violate free speech protections and undermine the rule of law. The lawsuit asserts the Trump administration's travel bans and asset freezes on ICC judges and prosecutors, primarily over investigations into US ally Israel, contravene laws including the First Amendment.

The suit, filed by Human Rights Watch, American Friends Service Committee, Center for Constitutional Rights, and Open Society Institute, contends the sanctions have severely harmed victims' ability to seek justice for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. The Trump administration, which rejects the ICC's authority, has targeted eight judges, three prosecutors, a UN expert, and three human rights organizations with sanctions under an executive order signed in February 2025.

Many measures stem from an arrest warrant issued for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the Gaza war. The lawsuit names the administration's Secretary of State, Treasury Secretary, Attorney General, and Director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control. The ICC prosecutes individuals accused of the most serious international crimes and acts as a last resort when national systems fail.

The US, along with Israel and Russia, has not ratified the ICC treaty, backed by Western democracies. Washington plans to escalate efforts to isolate the court, urging other nations to withdraw and halt financial support.