The essentials
The European Parliament honored the International Criminal Court as the United States announced new sanctions against it.
The European Parliament has awarded its 2026 prize to the International Criminal Court (ICC), announced in Strasbourg. The court is based in The Hague and has 125 member states. The other two finalists were Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu, arrested in April 2025, and the Iranian Rahimi sisters, imprisoned for participating in protests in Isfahan.
The announcement comes as the United States announced new sanctions against the ICC on October 9. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has pledged to dismantle the court 'brick by brick.' The European Union has expressed regret over the US sanctions and pledged its support for the court. ICC President said the court faces unprecedented challenges, including those sanctions.
The award ceremony is scheduled for 16 December in Strasbourg. Reporting available so far does not detail how the sanctions will affect the court's day-to-day operations.
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Washington and Brussels Take Opposing Positions on the Court
The US has announced sanctions against the ICC, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has pledged to dismantle the court 'brick by brick.' The European Union, by contrast, has expressed regret over those sanctions and pledged its support for the court. The court's president has said it faces unprecedented challenges, including the sanctions.
Court Receives Recognition as It Confronts Unprecedented Challenges
The ICC is being honored by the European Parliament at the same time it faces US sanctions. The three finalists represent different situations: a Tanzanian opposition leader arrested in 2025 and two sisters imprisoned in Iran over protests. The award ceremony is set for 16 December in Strasbourg.