EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AWARDS ICC SAKHAROV PRIZE

The European Parliament awarded the International Criminal Court (ICC) the Sakharov Prize on Thursday, 22 October. The prize is the European Union’s top human rights award. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced the decision, citing the court’s work in upholding international law and justice. The award came while the ICC faced sanctions from the United States.

Metsola said, “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.” The ICC thanked the European Parliament for giving it the prize. In its response, the court referred to challenges facing both the institution and its officials. It said the award came “at a time when the Court and its officials face unprecedented challenges”.

US President Donald Trump had vowed two weeks before the award to dismantle the ICC through fresh sanctions. His pledge concerned further measures against a court already subject to US sanctions. The European Parliament’s decision expressed its support for the court through a prize recognising its work in international law and justice. The ICC’s response placed the difficulties facing its officials alongside those facing the court itself.