The European Union awarded the International Criminal Court its top human rights honor on Thursday. The move came two weeks after US President Donald Trump vowed to dismantle the tribunal through new sanctions.
The Sakharov Prize marks the second major international recognition for the war crimes tribunal this month. Former ICC Judge Navi Pillay received the Nobel Peace Prize earlier for her work promoting peace and international law.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced the award in a statement. She said the European Union rests on respect for multilateralism and international institutions, adding that the prize honors the vital work of the court in upholding international justice and law.
The Hague-based tribunal thanked the European Parliament for the distinction. ICC President Tomoko Akane stated that the honor carries particular significance at a time when the court and its officials face extraordinary challenges, reaffirming the value of independent judicial institutions.
The ICC has faced enduring hostility from President Trump. The friction intensified after the tribunal issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.
The Trump administration recently announced restrictive measures aimed at paralyzing daily operations at the court, vowing to dismantle the institution brick by brick. The ICC maintains jurisdiction over war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio criticized the institution in a video shared on social media when the penalties were unveiled. He stated that the US would ban transactions with the court to cut off its resources and restrict its operations, declaring that the American public is not subject to its jurisdiction.
Washington has also imposed measures against ICC judges and prosecutors. The penalties extend to a United Nations special rapporteur dedicated to the occupied Palestinian territories and Palestinian human rights organisations that supplied evidence to the court.
The European Union has rallied behind the tribunal in response to the US penalties, which are scheduled to take effect in six months. Brussels stated it remains prepared to take any necessary steps to ensure the court continues operating without disruption.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted online that the court must operate independently and free from pressure or intimidation. EU officials indicated they intend to use the six-month window before the penalties apply to persuade Washington, while also exploring a blocking statute to protect the tribunal.
