European Parliament Awards Sakharov Prize to International Criminal Court

The European Parliament awarded the International Criminal Court (ICC) the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, a €50,000 honor recognizing the defense of human rights and democracy. The decision serves as a signal of support for the tribunal's independence following sanctions announced on October 9 by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump vowed to dismantle the court "brick by brick" after the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over alleged crimes in Gaza. The ICC was nominated for the prize by the Socialists and Democrats group to protect the court from such external pressure. The tribunal was selected over other finalists, including Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu and Iranian sisters Taraneh and Romina Rahimi.

The award ceremony is scheduled for the December plenary session in Strasbourg. Yannis Maniatis, vice-chair of the Socialists and Democrats, emphasized the need to guarantee that the ICC operates independently and free from interference.