Doha: The Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) and the Taxpayer Alliance Against Genocide announced that the sanctions imposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump on the International Criminal Court (ICC) hindered their efforts to advocate for Palestinian rights.
According to Qatar News Agency, the two rights watchdogs filed a lawsuit in a Manhattan federal court against senior US administration officials. They argued that the sanctions, which targeted the ICC due to its investigations into the Israeli conflict in Gaza, "unlawfully impeded their ability to defend Palestinians."
The organizations reported having to limit their advocacy work on behalf of Palestinians to avoid scrutiny from the White House. They pointed out that an executive order issued last year not only targeted the Hague-based Court but also barred the provision or receipt of services from or to sanctioned entities.
The groups expressed hope that their lawsuit would lift restrictions on their activities, enabling them to work freely with Palestinian rights groups and other sanctioned parties.
A US Department of State official disclosed last Monday that the US Administration was considering various measures against the ICC. The potential actions include imposing travel bans, revoking visas, expanding sanctions on the Court and its affiliated organizations, and pressuring other nations to withdraw from the Court.