EU awards human rights prize to ICC days after Trump sanctions

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 12:20 · Archive

The International Criminal Court won the European Union's Sakharov Prize for human rights, days after the Trump administration imposed sanctions on the tribunal.

The International Criminal Court and its officials have won the European Union's top human rights honour, the Sakharov Prize, announced on Thursday. The award came just days after the Trump administration announced sweeping new sanctions on the ICC as part of what it described as a campaign to dismantle the tribunal over investigations into the United States and its allies, including Israel.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said the prize recognises the court's 'important work of the court in upholding international law and justice'. The annual EU award, created in 1988, honours individuals or groups who defend human rights and basic freedoms. It is named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

ICC President Tomoko Akane welcomed the award, saying it 'comes at a time when the court and its officials face unprecedented challenges'. She stated the prize reaffirms 'the importance of independent judicial institutions and of those who work to uphold international law'.

The Trump administration's sanctions cut off the court from U.S.-based financial services, technology companies and the use of U.S. dollars. The sanctions set a six-month timeline for U.S. companies and individuals with business ties to the court to wind down those relationships.

How it is being reported

• European Union awards top rights prize to International Criminal Court days after Trump sanctionsThe International Criminal Court and its officials have won the European Union’s top human rights honor.Clickorlando · 22 Oct, 11:05
• European Union awards top rights prize to International Criminal Court days after Trump sanctionsThe International Criminal Court and its officials have won the European Union’s top human rights honor.News4Jax · 22 Oct, 11:05

In this story: International Criminal Court · European Union · Trump administration · Roberta Metsola · Tomoko Akane · Israel · United States

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem