The International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, targeted by the U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, has been honored with the prestigious Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought by the European Union. According to the European Parliament, this award recognizes the ICC’s significant role in upholding international law and justice as established by the Rome Statute. The ICC investigates and prosecutes individuals accused of grave violations of international law, such as genocide and crimes against humanity.
Despite not being a signatory to the Rome Statute, the ICC can investigate crimes committed in member countries. In 2020, it initiated a probe into alleged offenses by U.S. personnel in Afghanistan. Additionally, the ICC issued arrest warrants in 2024 for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant for alleged crimes in Gaza, which Israel denies.
Amid mounting pressure from the Trump administration, which has imposed multiple sanctions on the ICC and its judges, the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the recent sanctions aimed to undermine the court’s operations. The ICC condemned these actions as an interference with justice and an attack on the rule of law. This recognition from the European Parliament holds special significance, emphasizing the importance of independent judicial bodies and those dedicated to upholding international law and human rights.
