International Criminal Court wins EU's Sakharov Prize for human rights
Liberia Today graphic
The European Parliament has awarded the ICC its top human rights prize, days after Washington announced new sanctions against the court.
The European Union has awarded the International Criminal Court (ICC) the Sakharov Prize, its highest human rights honour, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced on Thursday, 22 October 2026.
Ms Metsola said the EU is built on respect for multilateralism and international institutions, according to Al Jazeera. The ICC thanked the Parliament and said the court and its officials face "unprecedented challenges." ICC President Tomoko Akane said the award underlines the importance of independent judicial institutions.
The ICC tries individuals accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Al Jazeera reports it is the court's second international recognition this month: former ICC judge Navi Pillay was named a Nobel Peace Prize winner for her work on peace and international law.
The prize comes as the court is under pressure from the United States. About two weeks ago, President Donald Trump vowed to dismantle the court through new sanctions, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington would ban transactions with it. Al Jazeera says the sanctions are due to take effect in six months and follow earlier US measures against ICC judges, prosecutors and some rights groups. The pressure intensified after the court issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant.
The EU says it is ready to take "any necessary measures" to keep the court working. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the ICC must be free to pursue its mission without pressure or intimidation, and Brussels is reportedly considering a "blocking statute" to shield the court from the sanctions.