Sakharov Prize 2026: ICC and its distinguished staff in the face of US sanctions

On Thursday 22 October in Strasbourg, the European Parliament awarded the Sakharov 2026 Prize for Freedom of Thought to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The announcement of Roberta Metsola, reported by RFI, Euronews and RTBF, is specified in the official communiqué: the distinction collectively rewards the Court and its staff. It comes after new US sanctions against the institution. [S4] [S12] [S13] [S15]

An institution, but also individual responsibilities

Roberta Metsola presented this decision as an acknowledgement of the work of the ICC in enforcing international law and justice. The President of the Court, Tomoko Akane, praised the prize by referring to "unprecedented challenges", including sanctions, she said, intended to obstruct her judicial mandate. The independence of justice thus constitutes the institutional justification for this reward. [S4] [S15]

Established in 2002 and governed by the Rome Statute, the ICC investigates and judges, when conditions are met, persons accused of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes or crimes of aggression. Court of last resort, it complements national courts. Its mandate concerns individual criminal responsibilities: to hold people accountable for their actions, not to attribute collective guilt to a population. [S15] [S16]

The distinction also concerns those who allow this judicial work. Parliament recalls that the President of the ICC and several judges came to explain, in 2025 and 2026, the consequences of American sanctions on their professional and personal lives. As a result, the available support exceeds the sole abstract defence of an institution. [S15]

A political choice between three finalists

The heads of the political groups selected the ICC from among three candidates. The other finalists were Tanzanian opponent Tundu Lissu and Iranian sisters Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, imprisoned after anti-government protests according to the awards articles. These applications also concerned the possibility of challenging a power and exercising its freedom of expression. [S2] [S12]

The narratives shed light on different stages of choice. Blick reports that the left and centre initially supported the ICC, while the right and part of the far right favoured Tundu Lissu. Euronews describes the support finally obtained from other groups by the Socialists and Democrats, promoters of the Court's candidacy. These elements do not allow support for another finalist to be assimilated to a rejection of international justice. [S2] [S12]

The Socialist MEP Chloé Ridel sees this assignment as a "message of hope and resistance" addressed to Donald Trump. This political reading, formulated by a promoter of the candidature, adds to the objective proclaimed by Parliament: to recognize the Court's work in favour of law and justice. [S12] [S15]

Sanctions with very concrete consequences

On 9 October, Washington announced new sanctions against the ICC. A note by Parliament published on 15 October states that they include the freezing of the assets of the Court under US jurisdiction. By that date, the United States had also punished 17 persons associated with the institution. This is the context of the reward, not the measures announced at its award. [S16]

The US authorities invoke the defence of their sovereignty and citizens. They accuse the Court of politicization and unjustified prosecution of US nationals. Euronews recalls their criticism of the investigation into US forces in Afghanistan and the arrest warrant against Benyamin Netanyahu. The ICC, on the other hand, denounces an "attack against the rule of law"; France has requested the withdrawal of sanctions. [S12] [S14] [S16]

For staff, the risks go beyond diplomatic conflict. The RTS refers to threats to the payment of 900 employees, investigation-related travel and technological autonomy of an institution heavily dependent on Microsoft. These consequences are presented as possible: they do not establish a general interruption of wages or an effective stoppage of digital services. [S9]

Recognition does not replace protection

MEPs call on the Commission to activate the European blockage regulation against the extraterritorial effects of sanctions. Parliament presented this instrument as one way of neutralizing in the Union certain effects of foreign decisions and seeking redress in court. The press release reiterates this request, without announcing its activation to protect the ICC. [S15]

Euronews underlines the lack of concrete European measures in the face of sanctions, while Parliament recalls the continued financial support of the Union. The existing aid must therefore be distinguished from specific protection against such restrictions. With 50,000 euros and to be awarded on 16 December in Strasbourg according to the RTS, the prize brings political recognition; It does not demonstrate that the means of working of the Court are now guaranteed. [S9] [S12] [S15]