Four organizations for the defense of human rights have filed a complaint in New York to contest the sanctions imposed by Donald Trump on the International Criminal Court, claiming that these affect the victims' right to obtain justice.

Four organizations for the defense of human rights, including Human Rights Watch, have brought a case to the American judiciary to contest the sanctions imposed by President Donald Trump on the International Criminal Court (ICC). The complaint, filed in New York, argues that these sanctions, which prohibit ICC judges from accessing the U.S. and block financial transactions, violate the right to freedom of expression protected by the First Amendment. The organizations claim that these measures constitute an abuse of power and severely affect the ability to pursue justice against those responsible for war crimes. The sanctions are largely a response to the ICC's investigations against Israel, a U.S. ally.

The complaint highlights the irreparable harm caused by these sanctions and mentions that the organizations have been forced to limit interactions with the ICC for fear of reprisals. In addition to Trump, the complaint also targets other American officials involved in imposing the sanctions. The ICC, established in 2002, is tasked with prosecuting individuals accused of the most serious atrocities. Washington has criticized the ICC in the past, and recently launched a diplomatic offensive against it.