Nicolai Haugsted
Major human rights organizations sue Trump over international court crackdown.
A legal battle over the International Criminal Court has escalated after four major U.S. human rights organizations filed a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s sanctions campaign against the Hague-based tribunal.
The groups argue that the measures are unconstitutional and prevent them from cooperating with the court on investigations into genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The lawsuit, filed in New York, was brought by Human Rights Watch, the Open Society Institute, the American Friends Service Committee and the Center for Constitutional Rights.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order last year authorizing sanctions against ICC prosecutors, judges and other officials involved in investigations targeting the United States and Israel, neither of which are members of the court.
According to the plaintiffs, the sanctions make it impossible for them to work with the ICC on international justice efforts.
Lead attorney Andrew Loewenstein said according to Reuters, that the lawsuit seeks to overturn the sanctions program.
“The plaintiffs are seeking an end to this sanctions regime, which transgresses the president’s authority and violates international and U.S. law, including the rights to freedom of expression and religion.”
Part of a wider legal fight
The case follows another lawsuit filed last month by advocacy organizations working on Palestinian human rights issues.
In response to that earlier challenge, the State Department argued that the groups were attempting to enable what it described as “ICC overreach” and maintained that the court poses a threat to U.S. sovereignty.
Three ICC judges have also launched separate legal action against the Trump administration over the sanctions.
Trump’s opposition to the International Criminal Court dates back to his first term in office.
A similar executive order issued in 2020 was blocked by a federal judge, who concluded it likely violated First Amendment protections. Former President Joe Biden later revoked that order after taking office in 2021.
More recently, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans to intensify efforts against the court, including a diplomatic campaign aimed at persuading countries to withdraw from the ICC.
Rubio argued that the tribunal could threaten U.S. personnel involved in immigration enforcement, military operations and anti-drug missions.
During a cabinet meeting on July 31, Trump said the administration’s campaign was intended to defend Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials rather than himself.
