European Parliament awards ICC the 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced Thursday the award of the 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought to the International Criminal Court.

• The European Parliament awarded the International Criminal Court (ICC) the 2026 Sakharov Prize during a Thursday session in Strasbourg, France.
• Metsola said the prize recognizes the ICC's work supporting international law and justice amid what she called unprecedented challenges.
• The prize is the European Parliament's highest honor in the field of human rights and freedom of thought.
• The ICC currently faces US sanctions.