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- Source: European Parliament https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20261018IPR48263/the-international-criminal-court-and-its-officials-awarded-the-sakharov-prize
The European Parliament has awarded its 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the International Criminal Court and its officials, Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced in the chamber on Thursday. The award recognises the court's work in upholding international law and justice, according to the announcement.
Key facts
- The 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought is awarded collectively to the International Criminal Court and its officials, announced by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
- The International Criminal Court, based on the Rome Statute, is the world's first permanent international criminal court and handles genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression.
- The award ceremony is scheduled for December in Strasbourg, during Parliament's plenary session.
- The Sakharov Prize was established in 1988 and is named after Soviet physicist and political dissident Andrei Sakharov.
- All EU member states are parties to the Rome Statute and are therefore obliged to implement the court's decisions.
Why did Parliament honour the court?
Announcing the laureate, Metsola said the European Union is built on respect for multilateralism and international institutions. She said the award recognises the court's important work in upholding international law and justice.
The International Criminal Court investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. It operates as a court of last resort intended to complement national courts and aims to end impunity by holding those responsible accountable.
The prize also highlights the court's day-to-day work, including investigations, prosecutions, trials and the issuance or authorisation of arrest warrants.
What do MEPs say about sanctions on the court?
In Parliament's 2025 annual reports on the implementation of the common Foreign and Security Policy and on human rights and democracy in the world, MEPs voiced deep concern at growing threats and successive waves of sanctions imposed on the court since 2025, notably by the United States, as well as on its prosecutors, judges, staff and partners. Lawmakers described these as serious attacks on the international justice system.
MEPs have repeatedly urged the European Commission to activate the EU's so-called blocking statute to shield court officials from extraterritorial measures and allow the institution to work in full independence. The regulation, adopted in November 1996, nullifies within the EU the effect of foreign judicial decisions based on foreign laws and allows European operators to seek compensation in court for damages caused by the extraterritorial application of such laws.
The reports also welcomed continued EU financial support for the court at a difficult time for international justice. With every EU member state a party to the Rome Statute, MEPs stressed that growing disregard for international law and the politicisation of debates about international justice bodies amounted, in their view, to an existential threat to the rules-based international order.
The President of the International Criminal Court and several judges visited parliamentary committees in 2025 and 2026 to explain the consequences of US sanctions on their professional duties and personal lives.
What is the Sakharov Prize?
Named after Soviet physicist and dissident Andrei Sakharov, the prize was created in 1988 and is given annually by Parliament to individuals or organisations defending human and fundamental rights, particularly freedom of expression, safeguarding minority rights, respect for international law, developing democracy and defending the rule of law.
The 2026 laureate follows a vote by MEPs on three finalists in October. The award ceremony is due to take place in December in Strasbourg during Parliament's plenary session, where the court will be formally presented with the prize.
Source: European Parliament
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