US Quakers and others sue Trump administration over targeting ICC
The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Human Rights Watch and two other groups have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in a federal court.
The lawsuit argues that the administration is illegally sanctioning individuals and organisations working with the International Criminal Court (ICC) to seek justice for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
This includes ICC prosecutors and judges, a UN special rapporteur, and three Palestinian human rights groups.
Those bringing the lawsuit argue that the sanctions force them to curtail a wide range of human rights and legal work, in violation of their First and Fifth Amendment rights under the US Constitution and under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
The sanctions have stopped them collaborating with Palestinian human rights groups to undertake litigation, coordinate advocacy campaigns, research human rights violations, and provide humanitarian aid.
The lawsuit also argues that the sanctions exceed the president's powers and are based on a pseudo “national emergency" that has no basis in fact.
According to AFSC, the sanctions are one of many actions the Trump administration has taken against free speech, protest, and advocacy in support of the human rights of Palestinians.