Rights Groups Sue Trump Over Sanctions Campaign Against ICC
Human Rights Watch and three other organizations sued the Trump administration on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, in Manhattan federal court, challenging an executive order and sanctions aimed at the International Criminal Court.[1]
Plaintiffs are Human Rights Watch, the American Friends Service Committee, the Center for Constitutional Rights and the Open Society Institute.[1] They say the sanctions have forced them to curtail advocacy and legal work in violation of the First and Fifth Amendments and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.[1]
The Trump administration sanctioned former ICC prosecutor Karim Khan and other staff after the court issued warrants for Israeli officials and opened an investigation into U.S. personnel in Afghanistan.[1] Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced a broad campaign to dismantle what he called the ICC's threat to U.S. sovereignty, including pressuring member states to withdraw.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Human Rights Watch, American Friends Service Committee, Center for Constitutional Rights and Open Society Institute filed suit in the Southern District of New York.
- The lawsuit challenges a Trump executive order targeting the International Criminal Court and U.S. sanctions imposed on ICC officials, a U.N. expert and three Palestinian rights groups.
- Plaintiffs allege the sanctions force them to curtail advocacy and legal work in violation of the First and Fifth Amendments and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
- The Trump administration sanctioned former ICC prosecutor Karim Khan and other staff after the court issued warrants for Israeli officials and investigated U.S. personnel in Afghanistan.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced a sweeping campaign to dismantle what he called the ICC’s threat to U.S. sovereignty, including pressuring member states to withdraw.
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