US-sanctioned ICC wins Sakharov Prize, EU’s top human rights award

Meanwhile, the European Union has awarded the International Criminal Court (ICC) its top human rights award, two weeks after US President Donald Trump vowed to dismantle the court through new sanctions.

Key points

• The ICC thanked the European Parliament for the honour "at a time when the Court and its officials face unprecedented challenges".
• The Trump administration has promised to dismantle the court "brick by brick", lately announcing sanctions aimed at crippling its day-to-day operations.
• The EU has already thrown its backing behind the ICC in the face of the US sanctions.

Thursday's Sakharov Prize is the second international recognition for the war crimes tribunal this month, with former ICC Judge Navi Pillay awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work to promote peace and international law.

"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, " remarked European Parliament President Roberta Metsola in announcing the award.

For context, the ICC thanked the European Parliament for the honour "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 remarked.

For context, the Hague-based ICC has long been a target of Trump, whose campaign against it has escalated since the court confirmed in 2024 arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

For context, the Trump administration has promised to dismantle the court "brick by brick", lately announcing sanctions aimed at crippling its day-to-day operations. The ICC tries individuals for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

"We will ban transactions with this rogue court, cutting off their resources and crippling their ability to operate against us because our message is clear: the United States and the American people are not subject to the jurisdiction of this fake ICC, " US Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked in a video posted on social media when the sanctions were unveiled.

As well as a UN special rapporteur focusing on the occupied Palestinian territories and Palestinian rights groups that have provided evidence to the court, washington has additionally sanctioned ICC judges and prosecutors.

In practice, the EU has already thrown its backing behind the ICC in the face of the US sanctions. It are due to come into force in six months, and has stated it is "ready to take any necessary measures" to create sure the court can continue functioning.

"The International Criminal Court must be free to pursue its mission, independently, and without pressure or intimidation, " EU chief Ursula von der Leyen posted online after the prize was confirmed.

Brussels is hoping to employ the delay before the sanctions are applied to try to talk the US down, but according to EU office-holders is additionally eyeing implementing a "blocking statute" to shield the ICC from Washington.

For now, uS-sanctioned ICC wins Sakharov Prize, EU's top human rights award remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.