The European Union presented the International Criminal Court with its Sakharov Prize for human rights on Thursday, a distinction announced just days after the United States declared sanctions against the tribunal.

The award marks the second major international honor for the court this month. Former ICC judge Navi Pillay had received the Nobel Peace Prize earlier in October for her contributions to peace and international law.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said the prize reflects the bloc’s commitment to multilateralism and to institutions that defend international law. “The European Union is built on respect for multilateralism and international institutions, and this prize recognises the important work of the court in upholding international law and justice,” she said in a statement.

ICC President Tomoko Akane added that the prize underscores the importance of independent judicial bodies at a moment when the court faces “unprecedented challenges.”

The International Criminal Court, headquartered in The Hague, has been a frequent target of former U.S. President Donald Trump. In 2024 the court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, prompting a sharp response from the Trump administration.

Trump’s administration has pledged to “dismantle the court brick by brick,” announcing sanctions that would restrict transactions with the ICC and limit its operational capacity. In a video posted on social media, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the sanctions were meant to convey that “the United States and the American people are not subject to the jurisdiction of this fake ICC.”

The sanctions also target several ICC judges, prosecutors, a United Nations special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, and Palestinian rights organizations that have supplied evidence to the court.

The European Union has responded by reaffirming its support for the ICC. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen posted online that the court must remain free to pursue its mission without pressure or intimidation. Brussels is using the six‑month window before the sanctions take effect to attempt diplomatic engagement with Washington, while also preparing a “blocking statute” that would shield the court from U.S. legal actions.

The prize therefore arrives at a pivotal moment, highlighting the growing tension between the ICC’s prosecutorial work and geopolitical push‑back from major powers.