The European Union has honoured the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its staff with its esteemed Union’s Sakharov Prize for Human Rights, an official announced on Thursday. This recognition coincides with the Trump administration’s recent announcement of comprehensive new sanctions against the court, headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands.
These sanctions are part of a broader campaign to challenge the tribunal’s investigations into the United States and its allies, including Israel. The European Parliament announced the sanctions during a session in Strasbourg, France, where it received a standing ovation. Established in 1988, the Sakharov Prize is named after the renowned Soviet dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov, and it honours individuals and groups that advocate for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
“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,“ European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said.
ICC welcomes the award
ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan thanked the EU for the award, noting that it arrives at a time when the court and its officials face unprecedented challenges. She highlighted that the Sakharov Prize carries particular significance at this time, as it reaffirms the importance of independent judicial institutions and the dedicated individuals who uphold international law.
Established in 2002, the ICC serves as a court of last resort, tasked with prosecuting senior leaders deemed responsible for crimes that, under its founding treaty, “deeply shock the conscience of humanity.“ The court has jurisdiction over war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and the crime of aggression.
The Trump administration’s sanctions limited the court’s access to financial services, technology companies, and US dollars. These measures set a six-month deadline for US companies and individuals doing business with the court to stop their activities.
The EU considers options to respond
After their summit last week, EU leaders strongly disapproved of the Trump administration’s sanctions and urged the US to reverse them. They noted that the full impact of the sanctions has been delayed for six months, allowing for potential diplomatic efforts to take place. However, if diplomacy fails, the EU is prepared to take necessary actions.
The European Commission has been tasked with protecting the ICC and mitigating the sanctions’ effects. One possible response is the EU’s “blocking statute,” which would prevent European companies from complying with US sanctions, thereby safeguarding court personnel and the ICC itself.
An award for when rights and justice come under attack
The International Criminal Court and its officials have been nominated for a prize by the Socialists and Democrats group in the European Parliament. The European Parliament’s lawmakers select the Sakharov Prize winner from candidates nominated by various political groups.
Also on the EU shortlist are imprisoned Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu and twins Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, detained for protesting against the Iranian government. Last year’s prize honorees, Andrzej Pocobut and Mzia Amaghlobeli, are imprisoned in Belarus and Georgia.
Several former Sakharov laureates, including Nelson Mandela and Malala Yousafzai, have also received the Nobel Peace Prize. Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who won the Nobel Peace Prize last year, received the Sakharov Prize in 2024.
This article used information from The Associated Press.
