ICC up for top EU rights prize
Facing US sanctions, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is up for the European Union’s top rights prize on Thursday, with supporters pressing its case as a show of support for a fraying rules-based world order.
The European Parliament has named the Netherlands-based tribunal among the three finalists for its Sakharov Prize alongside Tanzania opposition leader Tundu Lissu and twin sisters Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, representing those prosecuted by the Iranian government.
The winner will be announced on Thursday after being chosen by senior lawmakers, ahead of an awards ceremony in December.
Set up in 1988 and named after Soviet dissident Andrei Sakharov, the prize is bestowed annually on individuals or organizations to recognize their fight for human rights or democracy.
This month, the United States announced sanctions against the ICC aimed at crippling the day-to-day operations of the court. President Donald Trump’s administration has vowed to dismantle the court “brick by brick.”
The nomination comes after ex-ICC judge Navi Pillay, who also served as UN rights chief, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize this month—a choice Trump slammed as “disgraceful,” arguing the award should have gone to him.
