WASHINGTON, DC: Two US-based advocacy organizations have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), arguing that the measures unlawfully restrict Americans’ constitutional rights to free speech and association.
The lawsuit, submitted Wednesday in a federal court in Manhattan by Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) and the Taxpayer Alliance Against Genocide (TAAG), seeks to block enforcement of sanctions that the groups say prevent US citizens from engaging with the ICC, Palestinian human rights organizations and certain United Nations officials.
The legal challenge follows renewed criticism of the ICC by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who recently reaffirmed the administration’s opposition to the court and pledged to continue efforts to limit its influence.
At the center of the case is Executive Order 14203, signed by President Donald Trump in February 2025. The order authorizes sanctions against foreign individuals and organizations involved in ICC investigations concerning US or Israeli nationals. It also bars Americans from providing or receiving services from sanctioned parties, with possible civil and criminal penalties for violations.
According to the plaintiffs, the sanctions have forced advocacy groups to halt cooperation with the ICC and cut ties with sanctioned Palestinian organizations and UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese due to fears of legal consequences.
DAWN Executive Director Omar Shakir argued that the administration is using sanctions to suppress legitimate human rights advocacy rather than solely addressing foreign policy concerns. He claimed the measures infringe on the constitutional rights of American citizens by limiting their ability to participate in discussions and investigations related to alleged international crimes.
The lawsuit further contends that the executive order violates the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech and association, by preventing Americans from sharing evidence with the ICC, collaborating with sanctioned organizations and advocating for international accountability.
In addition, the plaintiffs argue that the order exceeds presidential authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which exempts personal communications and the exchange of informational materials from sanctions.
The organizations are asking the court to block enforcement of the executive order, allowing US citizens and advocacy groups to engage with ICC investigations and sanctioned human rights organizations without fear of prosecution.
NEWS DESK
PRESS UPDATE