EU gives top human rights award to ICC amid Trump sanctions

European Parliament chief Metsola said the Sakharov Prize ‘recognises the important work of the court in upholding international law and justice’

The International Criminal Court and officials working at the tribunal have won the European Union’s top human rights honour, the Sakharov Prize, an official said on Thursday.

The award came just days after the Trump administration announced sweeping new sanctions on the ICC as part of its campaign to dismantle the tribunal over investigations into the United States and its allies, including Israel.

“The European Union is built on respect for multilateralism and international institutions, and this prize recognises the important work of the court in upholding international law and justice,” European Parliament president Roberta Metsola said at the parliament in Strasbourg, France, after a standing ovation.