US sanctions against Palestinian NGOs a blatant attack on human rights

5 September 2025

Responding to the US government's decision to impose sanctions against Palestinian NGOs, al-Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights and the Palestinian Center for Human Rights in the context of sanctions imposed against International Criminal Court (ICC)- related activities, Erika Guevara-Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns at Amnesty International said:

"The Trump administration's decision to impose sanctions against three prominent Palestinian human rights organizations is a deeply troubling and shameful assault on human rights and the global pursuit of justice."

"The Trump administration's decision to impose sanctions against three prominent Palestinian human rights organizations is a deeply troubling and shameful assault on human rights and the global pursuit of justice.

"These organizations carry out vital and courageous work, meticulously documenting human rights violations under the most horrifying conditions. They have steadfastly continued to do so in the face of war, genocide, and the oppressive reality of Israel's apartheid regime, as well as malicious attempts to discredit their findings and cripple their funding with spurious terrorism accusations.

"They are the voice of Palestinian victims, amplifying stories of human suffering and injustice that would otherwise remain unheard. Their work is indispensable for achieving justice and accountability for decades of atrocities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel.

"This appalling move constitutes a brazen attack on the entire Palestinian human rights movement, and a callous attempt to fracture and weaken the whole global human rights community. It seeks to deny victims of human rights violations and atrocity crimes any prospect for truth, justice and reparations. This decision also starkly exposes the Trump administration's deliberate efforts to dismantle the very foundation of international justice and shield Israel from accountability for its crimes.

"The international community stands at a critical juncture. The very institutions founded to safeguard human rights and uphold international law, including the International Criminal Court, are grappling with existential threats."

"The international community stands at a critical juncture. The very institutions founded to safeguard human rights and uphold international law, including the International Criminal Court, are grappling with existential threats.

"Amnesty International expresses its solidarity and support to these organizations and calls on the global human rights movement to push back against this despicable decision. States must unequivocally oppose this flagrant assault on Palestinian civil society organizations and the communities they represent, for the sake of our shared humanity and the future of human rights worldwide."

Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 10 million people who take injustice personally. We are campaigning for a world where human rights are enjoyed by all - and we can only do it with your support.

Act now or learn more about our crisis response campaign.