ICC awarded this year's Sakharov Prize for its contribution to international justice - European Parliament

[Brussels Current Affairs] The European Union (EU) European Parliament announced on the 22nd that the International Criminal Court (ICC, headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands) and its staff have been selected for the 2026 Sakharov Prize, which recognizes individuals and organizations that have contributed to the defense of human rights and democracy. It praised the efforts to pursue serious crimes such as war crimes and hold perpetrators accountable. The ICC is subject to US sanctions.

"This award recognizes the ICC's important work in upholding international law and justice," Metsola said in making the announcement. The award ceremony will be held on December 16th in Strasbourg, France.

The ICC said in a statement that the court and its staff are facing "unprecedented challenges" due to sanctions and other sanctions. Director Tomoko Akane emphasized the significance of the award, saying, ``This is an important recognition of the role of international justice as the foundation of lasting peace.''

European Commission President von der Leyen also welcomed the award in a post on X (formerly Twitter). ``The ICC must be able to carry out its mission independently, without pressure or intimidation,'' he said, adding, ``Europe firmly supports Director Akane, the judges, and his staff.''

The ICC is an international judicial organization responsible for investigating and prosecuting individuals for crimes such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Sanctions were imposed by the U.S. Trump administration in response to the issue of an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over attacks on the Palestinian autonomous region of Gaza.