ICC, Facing Trump Sanctions, Wins EU's Top Human Rights Award

The International Criminal Court (ICC), which is facing an unprecedented crisis due to intense pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, including the imposition of heavy sanctions, has been named this year's recipient of the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, widely regarded as Europe's most prestigious human rights award.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced the ICC and its members as this year's Sakharov Prize laureates on the 22nd (local time) at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.

"The EU was founded on multilateralism and respect for international organizations, and this award recognizes the crucial work of the ICC in defending international law and justice," Metsola explained regarding the selection.

Metsola's announcement was met with a standing ovation from members of the European Parliament, according to dpa.

ICC President Tomoko Akane released a statement following the news of the award, saying, "This prize, given at a time when the ICC and its personnel face unprecedented challenges—including sanctions aimed at hindering the court's judicial mandate—reaffirms the importance of those who strive to uphold independent judicial institutions and international law."

Named after the Soviet physicist, dissident, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov, the award was established in 1988 by the European Parliament to honor individuals and organizations defending human rights and freedom.

Headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, the ICC is a permanent international court established in 2002 under the Rome Statute to prosecute individuals accused of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity.

The Trump administration announced high-intensity sanctions against the ICC on the 9th, shortly after Navi Pillay, an ad hoc judge at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) from South Africa and a former ICC judge, was selected as this year's Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

The United States has been pushing for the "dissolution" of the ICC, accusing the court of political bias, such as issuing an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over war crimes in the Gaza Strip.

The U.S. never joined the ICC, arguing that the court attempts to prosecute American service members for war crimes.

Meanwhile, the ICC consists of 18 judges serving nine-year terms, and South Korean legal expert Baek Ki-bong is currently serving as an ICC judge.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.