International Criminal Court and its officials win the Sakharov Prize
The European Parliament awarded its 2026 Sakharov Prize to the International Criminal Court and its officials. Roberta Metsola announced the collective honour on October 22, recognising their work for international law and justice. The ceremony is planned for December in Strasbourg. The award arrives under sanctions pressure, without announcing a new EU legal protection measure.
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Parliament honours the court’s work
The European Parliament chose the International Criminal Court as the winner of the 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought. Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced the decision in the plenary chamber on October 22. The award recognises work for international law and justice.[1], [2]
Parliament’s decision collectively honours the court and its officials. The ceremony is scheduled for the December plenary session in Strasbourg. Its announcement highlights the institution’s investigations, prosecutions, trials and work issuing or authorising arrest warrants.[1]
The court complements national justice systems
Established under the Rome Statute, the International Criminal Court is the first permanent international criminal court. It examines individual responsibility for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. Its role is to complement national courts as a court of last resort. Every EU member state is a party to the Rome Statute. The award makes no judicial finding in any specific case before the court.[1]
A human rights prize awarded since 1988
Named after Soviet physicist and dissident Andrei Sakharov, the prize has recognised contributions to human rights, international law, democracy and the rule of law since 1988. Parliament recalled US sanctions targeting the court and its officials since 2025. The award announcement introduces no new EU legal measure shielding them from those sanctions.[1]
