Four US human rights groups—the American Friends Service Committee, the Center for Constitutional Rights, Human Rights Watch, and the Open Society Institute—have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's sanctions against the International Criminal Court (ICC). The lawsuit, filed on August 11, 2026, in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, targets an executive order issued by President Donald Trump in February 2025 that authorizes sanctions on ICC officials, judges, and others working with the court.
The executive order, issued on February 6, 2025, authorized sanctions on ICC officials and others supporting the court's investigation of Israeli actions in Palestine. The plaintiffs argue that the sanctions constitute a blatantly illegal attack on international justice and should be struck down. The lawsuit contends the measures exceed the president's powers and are based on a fabricated national emergency with no basis in fact.
The plaintiffs are seeking an end to this sanctions regime.
The ICC has launched 18 investigations globally.
The ICC's investigations span Afghanistan, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Libya, the Philippines, Darfur (Sudan), and Ukraine. The court's Palestine investigation led to arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in November 2024 on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Palestine is a party to the ICC, which has jurisdiction over nationals of member states and crimes committed on their territory.
The Trump administration has used the executive order to sanction ICC prosecutors, eight ICC judges, UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, and three Palestinian human rights groups, including Al Haq. These sanctions have resulted in frozen bank accounts, rejected transactions, denial of digital services, and travel bans for those targeted.
US organizations, including the plaintiffs, risk up to 20 years in prison and substantial fines for providing services to sanctioned persons or entities. The sanctions have hindered the plaintiffs' ability to represent victims before the ICC, make legal submissions, and collaborate with sanctioned groups. The dominance of US financial institutions has also chilled non-US banks from offering services to those affected.
These sanctions are an assault on the rule of law.
Katherine Gallagher of the Center for Constitutional Rights said the administration took an extraordinary step to deny Palestinians and victims of US torture equal access to justice, emphasizing the need for an independent and strong ICC. Joyce Ajlouny of the American Friends Service Committee called the actions an affront to all victims and survivors of war crimes and genocide, while Liz Evenson of Human Rights Watch said, We are taking the Trump administration to court to stop attacks on international justice.
Shawan Jabarin, director of Al Haq, said the sanctions left his group unable to access bank accounts or process donations, leaving about 45 people without pay. He described a climate of fear that led longtime allies to cut communications, and he called on partners to fight back with all means. The lawsuit follows a similar case filed last month by Democracy in the Arab World Now and the Taxpayer Alliance Against Genocide, along with challenges by Albanese's family and three sitting ICC judges.
The US is not a party to the ICC, and the government has long opposed the court. The sanctions are part of a broader campaign by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on July 13, 2026, to dismantle the ICC, including increased pressure on member states to leave. The plaintiffs argue the sanctions violate US constitutional protections for free speech and association, as well as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. They also say the measures breach US obligations under international law.
