European Parliament Awards Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought 2026 to International Criminal Court

Brussels, October 22 (KUNA) -- The European Parliament announced on Thursday that it is awarding the International Criminal Court (ICC) the 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, in recognition of its role in upholding international law, achieving justice, and combating impunity.

In a statement, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said that awarding the prize to the Court reflects appreciation for its vital work in upholding international law and achieving justice, emphasizing that the European Union is founded on respect for pluralism and international institutions. She added that the Court plays a pivotal role in prosecuting those responsible for the most serious crimes of concern to the international community, including genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression.

The European Parliament stressed in its statement that the prize highlights the importance of protecting international justice and accountability mechanisms amid escalating threats and sanctions imposed on the Court, its prosecutors, judges, staff, and partners, considering these measures as serious attacks on the international justice system. It underscored the need to safeguard the Court’s independence and ensure its continued operation free from external interference, calling on the European Commission to activate the so-called “European Anti-Coercion Instrument” to shield Court officials from the extraterritorial effects of foreign sanctions, thereby enabling them to carry out their duties independently.

The Parliament also welcomed the continued financial support provided by the European Union to the Court “amid growing challenges facing international justice,” warning that “the growing disregard for international law and the politicization of debates concerning international justice institutions pose a threat to the rules-based international order.”

For her part, ICC President Tomoko Akane said in a statement that “the award comes at a time when the Court and its officials face unprecedented challenges, including sanctions aimed at obstructing its jurisdiction.” She added that the prize underscores the importance of judicial independence and the role of those working within judicial institutions in upholding international law.

The announcement of the Court’s win comes after the United States imposed sanctions on it earlier this month. The ceremony for the 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is scheduled to take place in December in Strasbourg, France, during a plenary session of the European Parliament. (End) Arn / T.M.A