International Criminal Court awarded 2026 Sakharov Prize

On October 22, 2026, the European Parliament awarded the 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its officials. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced the decision in Strasbourg, emphasizing the European Union’s commitment to multilateralism and the rule of law. ICC President Tomoko Akane stated that the recognition is particularly significant given the unprecedented challenges currently facing the institution.

The award follows a period of intense geopolitical pressure on the tribunal. Less than two weeks prior, former ICC Judge Navi Pillay received the Nobel Peace Prize, an act widely interpreted as international support for the court. The ICC has been a focal point of criticism from United States President Donald Trump, who recently announced sanctions against the tribunal. Tensions regarding the ICC have escalated since 2024, when the court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister.