US-sanctioned ICC wins Sakharov Prize, EU’s top human rights award
The European Union has awarded the International Criminal Court (ICC) the Sakharov Prize for human rights, shortly after the Trump administration imposed sanctions on the court. The award recognizes the ICC's role in upholding international law despite increasing pressure from the US government.
Why it matters
The conflict between the US administration and the ICC highlights a major geopolitical divide regarding the legitimacy of international judicial institutions.
The prize comes less than two weeks after US President Donald Trump announced sanctions against the court.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info The International Criminal Court has been facing increased pressure from the Trump administration [File: Eva Plevier/Reuters] By AFP and Reuters Published On 22 Oct 2026 22 Oct 2026 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 .
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.
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