ICC awarded EU Sakharov Prize amid standoff over US sanctions
Facing US sanctions, the International Criminal Court was awarded the European Union’s top rights prize on Thursday, in a show of support that risks upsetting President Donald Trump. “The European Union is built on respect for multilateralism and international institutions, and this prize recognises the important work of the court in upholding international law and justice,” said European Parliament chief Roberta Metsola, announcing the award. The ICC thanked the European Parliament for giving it the Sakharov Prize “at a time when the Court and its officials face unprecedented challenges”. “Against this backdrop, the Sakharov Prize carries particular significance, reaffirming the importance of independent judicial institutions and of those who work to uphold international law,” ICC President Tomoko Akane said. This month, the United States announced sanctions against the ICC aimed at crippling the day-to-day operations of the court, which tries individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. Trump’s administration has vowed to dismantle the court “brick by brick”, furious that judges have issued an arrest warrant for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for alleged crimes in Gaza. The win comes after ex-ICC judge Navi Pillay, who also served as UN rights chief, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this month — a choice Trump slammed as “disgraceful”, arguing the award should have gone to him. The EU has already thrown its support behind the ICC in the face of the US sanctions — which will come into force in six months — and has said it is “ready to take any necessary measures” to make sure the court can keep working. “The International Criminal Court must be free to pursue its mission, independently, and without pressure or intimidation,” EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said on social media after the prize was announced. Brussels is hoping to use the delay before the sanctions are applied to try to talk the US down, but is also eyeing implementing a “blocking statute” to shield the ICC from Washington. Three finalists Set up in 1988 and named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, the EU prize is bestowed annually on individuals or organisations to recognise their fight for human rights or democracy. The ICC was among three finalists this year, alongside Tanzania opposition leader Tundu Lissu and twin sisters Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, representing those prosecuted by the Iranian government. The nominees are put forward by the political groupings in the EU, and the winner is chosen by senior lawmakers. An award ceremony will be held in December. Lissu, head of Tanzania’s opposition Chadema party, was detained in April 2025. He faces a possible death penalty if convicted of treason for allegedly inciting the public to boycott elections last year. Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, 21, have respectively been sentenced to death and 36 years in prison for having taken part in anti-government protests in Iran. Other recent high-profile winners of the Sakharov Prize have been Venezuelan opposition chief Maria Corina Machado, deceased Russian Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and the people of Ukraine.
The International Criminal Court has been awarded the European Union's Sakharov Prize, marking a significant gesture of backing from European leaders as the tribunal confronts punitive measures from the United States.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola made the announcement on Thursday, emphasizing that the EU is founded on an appreciation for international bodies and multilateral cooperation. Metsola noted that the accolade honors the court's ongoing role in maintaining global justice and the rule of law.
In response, ICC President Tomoko Akane expressed gratitude to the European Parliament, observing that the honor comes at an exceptional moment when court personnel and the institution itself are encountering severe pressures. Akane stated that the recognition underscores the vital necessity of autonomous courts and those defending global legal principles.
The award arrives shortly after Washington unveiled sanctions designed to obstruct daily functions at the tribunal, which prosecutes individuals accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. The administration of President Donald Trump expressed outrage over an arrest warrant issued by ICC judges for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concerning alleged actions in Gaza, with officials pledging to tear down the institution.
Tensions have also been heightened by the recent decision to give the Nobel Peace Prize to former ICC judge and past United Nations human rights chief Navi Pillay, a selection that drew public criticism from Trump, who maintained he should have received it instead.
European leaders have pledged to protect the tribunal before the American sanctions take effect in six months. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated online that the court must operate without fear of coercion or intimidation. Officials in Brussels plan to use the intervening period to pursue diplomatic solutions with Washington, while also exploring protective legislation, such as a blocking statute, to insulate the court.
Established in 1988 in honor of Soviet activist Andrei Sakharov, the annual prize is designated by senior EU legislators from candidates submitted by parliamentary political blocs. An official ceremony is scheduled for December.
The Hague-based court was chosen over two other finalists: Tanzanian opposition figure Tundu Lissu, who was arrested in April 2025 and confronts capital charges tied to election boycott protests, and Iranian twin sisters Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, aged 21, who were handed a death sentence and 36 years in prison, respectively, over demonstrations against their government. Prior honorees include the people of Ukraine, late Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, and Venezuelan political leader Maria Corina Machado.
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VerifiedReported from Dawn (Pakistan).
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