Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Rights Groups Challenge Trump's ICC Sanctions Over Chilling Effect
Thirty-eight rights organisations asked a US court to stop sanctions against the International Criminal Court.
They say the sanctions affect more people than the officials directly targeted.
The groups help victims and witnesses share evidence with the Court.
They also help document crimes and support victims seeking reparations.
According to the organisations, some groups have lost money, workers, bank access and partnerships.
Other organisations are now afraid to work with the Court.
The groups say this makes it harder for victims to seek justice.
The court has not decided whether the sanctions are legal.
Thirty-eight civil society organisations filed a court brief challenging US sanctions against the International Criminal Court.
The brief supports a lawsuit by four organisations in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York.
The groups say sanctions are harming victims, survivors, lawyers, advocates and organisations connected to the ICC.
They argue Executive Order 14203 violates freedom of expression and association through severe financial and legal penalties.
The court has not yet ruled, while signatories report lost funding, staff, banking access and partnerships.
- Who
- Amnesty International, the International Federation for Human Rights and 36 other civil society organisations, supporting a lawsuit by four rights groups.
- What
- They filed an amicus brief challenging sanctions imposed on the International Criminal Court and related organisations and individuals.
- When
- The brief was submitted on September 22; the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- The US District Court for the Southern District of New York.
- Why
- The groups say the sanctions undermine civil society networks, restrict expression and association, and harm victims seeking international justice.
Challengers to the sanctions
US sanctions policy
Effect on justice networks
Challengers to the sanctions
The rights groups say sanctions fracture the networks that connect victims and witnesses to the ICC, document crimes and support participation and reparations.
US sanctions policy
The article describes the sanctions and their targets but does not provide the US administration's response or justification.
Civil liberties
Challengers to the sanctions
The organisations argue that Executive Order 14203 violates freedom of expression and association by threatening severe financial and legal penalties.
US sanctions policy
The article does not state the administration's position on whether the executive order complies with constitutional protections.
- Organisations filing brief
- 38 civil society organisations
- Executive order
- Executive Order 14203
- Court
- US District Court for the Southern District of New York
- Direct targets cited
- ICC prosecutors and judges, a UN human rights expert, and three Palestinian human rights groups
- Reported effects
- Loss of funding, staff, banking access and partnerships
- Court status
- No ruling has yet been issued
- Groups supporting lawsuit
- American Friends Service Committee, Center for Constitutional Rights, Human Rights Watch and Open Society Institute