By awarding the Sakharov Prize to the International Criminal Court, the European Parliament shows its firmness towards Washington

The European Parliament awarded the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the International Criminal Court (ICC) on October 22, 2026, in a show of support amid U.S. sanctions. These sanctions, announced by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will take effect on April 9, 2027, potentially crippling the ICC's operations. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, emphasized the importance of multilateralism and the ICC's role in upholding international law. ICC President Tomoko Akane expressed gratitude for the recognition during challenging times for the court.