European Parliament awards the Sakharov Prize to the International Criminal Court and its officials
22 October 2026
The European Parliament has awarded its 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought collectively to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its officials. Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced the laureate in the hemicycle on Thursday. The ICC, governed by the Rome Statute, is the world's first permanent international criminal court and tries individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. MEPs have voiced concern at sanctions imposed on the court since 2025, notably by the USA. The other two finalists were Tanzanian lawyer Tundu Lissu and the Iranian sisters Taraneh and Romina Rahimi. The prize was established in 1988, and the award ceremony is scheduled for December in Strasbourg.
In plain words
ICC International Criminal Court — Permanent court at The Hague that tries individuals for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and aggression.
Sakharov Prize Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought — Human rights prize awarded annually by the European Parliament since 1988.