Matthew Smith, a Maine resident and CEO of Fortify Rights, is suing the Trump administration over economic sanctions that have hindered his efforts to investigate human rights abuses in Myanmar. Smith collaborates with International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutors to highlight genocide and the Rohingya people’s forced deportation. After Trump imposed sanctions on the ICC in February, Smith claims these measures obstruct their vital work in holding perpetrators accountable for atrocities.
Alongside Akila Radhakrishnan, a human rights lawyer from New York, Smith filed the lawsuit in Maine’s U.S. District Court against Trump and various government officials. They argue that these sanctions violate their First Amendment rights, which protect American freedom of expression. The American Civil Liberties Union, with its Maine chapter, is representing them in this significant case.
For years, Smith has met with ICC prosecutors, sharing harrowing accounts from Rohingya refugees to inform the investigation of war crimes in Myanmar. Radhakrishnan also contributes, focusing on the Taliban’s crimes against Afghan women. According to Smith, Trump’s sanctions have compelled him to halt communication with the ICC due to fear of substantial penalties, such as asset blocking.
Smith expressed his frustrations in a written statement, stating, “Because of this order, I’ve been forced to stop helping the ICC investigate horrific crimes committed against the people of Myanmar, including mass murder, torture, and human trafficking.” He further asserted that the executive order disrupts international justice and accountability for communities suffering unimaginable horrors.
The ICC, based in the Netherlands, is an independent court serving over 100 countries, established to address serious crimes when local systems fail. Although the U.S. was instrumental in its founding in 1998, neither the United States nor Israel officially acknowledges the court. The White House had not responded to a request for comment on the lawsuit by Friday morning.
Maine resident Matthew Smith is suing the Trump administration over sanctions that he argues inhibit his ability to work with the International Criminal Court on human rights violations in Myanmar. Represented by the ACLU, Smith claims these sanctions violate his First Amendment rights and disrupt crucial investigations into atrocities committed against the Rohingya people.
Matthew Smith’s lawsuit against the Trump administration highlights the tension between U.S. sanctions and the pursuit of international justice for human rights violations. His work, along with that of Akila Radhakrishnan, shows the critical role that communication with the ICC plays in addressing atrocities. Smith’s claim is rooted in the belief that these sanctions undermine both individual rights and broader international efforts to hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes.
Original Source: www.pressherald.com
