BRUSSELS (AP) — The International Criminal Court and its embattled staff have won the European Union’s top human rights honor, the Sakharov Prize, an official said Thursday.
The award came just days after the Trump administration announced sweeping new sanctions on the court, which is based in The Hague, Netherlands, as part of its campaign to dismantle the tribunal over investigations into the United States and its allies, including Israel.
“The European Union is built on respect for multilateralism and international institutions, and this prize recognizes the important work of the court in upholding international law and justice,” European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said.
Her announcement at the parliament in Strasbourg, France, was greeted with a standing ovation.
The annual EU award, named after Soviet dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov, was created in 1988 to honor individuals or groups who defend human rights and basic freedoms.
ICC President Tomoko Akane of Japan welcomed the award, saying that it “comes at a time when the court and its officials face unprecedented challenges.”
“Against this backdrop, the Sakharov Prize carries particular significance, reaffirming the importance of independent judicial institutions and of those who work to uphold international law,” she said in a statement.
The ICC opened in 2002 as a court of last resort to prosecute senior leaders it deems responsible for crimes that, according to its founding treaty, “deeply shock the conscience of humanity.” It has jurisdiction over war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and the crime of aggression.
The Trump administration's sanctions cut the court's access to U.S.-based financial services, technology companies and even the use of U.S. dollars. They set a six-month timeline for U.S. companies and individuals that have business with the court to wind that business down.
In a statement after their summit last week, EU leaders said that the 27-nation bloc “deeply regrets” the Trump administration’s sanctions move and “urges the United States to reverse these latest measures.”
They noted that the U.S. has delayed the full impact of the sanctions by six months, and that “this creates space for diplomacy,” and expressed hope that the measures can ultimately be reversed.
Should diplomacy fail, however, the leaders insisted on “the EU’s readiness to take all necessary measures.”
They tasked the European Commission “to take all appropriate initiatives” to help protect the ICC and mitigate the impact of the sanctions, “specifically towards EU companies so that they can continue providing services to the Court.”
One possible retaliatory measure is the EU “blocking statute,” which could be used to protect European court staff, and possibly the Dutch-based court itself, by preventing European companies from complying with the U.S. measures.
The ICC and its officials were nominated for the prize by the Socialists and Democrats group in the European Parliament. The group, which unites center-left parties across Europe, said that it was “proud to have put forward their candidacy at a time when international justice is under attack.”
The Sakharov winner is chosen by the European Parliament's president and top EU lawmakers from among candidates nominated by the parliament’s various political groups. The assembly says the award is “the highest tribute paid by the European Union to human rights work.”
Imprisoned Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu and Taraneh and Romina Rahimi — twins being held in prison for taking part in demonstrations against the Iranian government — were the others to make the EU shortlist.
Last year’s prize went to journalists Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaghlobeli, who were imprisoned in Belarus and Georgia, respectively. Metsola said at the time that “their courage has made them symbols of the struggle for freedom and democracy.”
Several Sakharov laureates, including Nelson Mandela, Malala Yousafzai, Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad, went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado, who won the Nobel Peace Prize last year, picked up the Sakharov Prize in 2024.
Mike Corder reported from The Hague, Netherlands.
FILE - A general view of the exterior of the International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands, March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Havana, File)
Bournemouth earned the biggest win of its first European campaign by beating 10-man AC Milan 3-0 in the Europa League on Thursday after goalkeeper Mike Maignan was sent off for shoving an opponent in the face during a corner.
Bournemouth had already taken the lead from a penalty when Maignan was shown a straight red card and conceded another spot kick by putting his gloves in the face of United States midfielder Tyler Adams and pushing him to the ground.
Marcus Tavernier converted the second penalty against substitute goalkeeper Lorenzo Torriani to double the lead, and there was no way back for Milan after that. Substitute Amine Adli made it 3-0 late with a perfectly executed curling free kick.
Four other teams also have three wins from three, including Bayer Leverkusen after Jonas Hofmann scored twice in a three-minute span to secure a 2-0 victory at OFI Crete.
But Juventus was held to a 2-2 draw by Rennes after having a late winner ruled out for offside.
Hofmann netted his double late in the first half as Leverkusen continued its good start under new coach Carles Martínez, who has now overseen seven wins from eight games across all competitions since starting with a shock loss to Elversberg.
Ferencvaros also stayed perfect after a 4-1 victory over Portuguese second-division side Torreense.
In a clash of two unbeaten teams, Benfica won 4-1 at Omonia while Olympiacos needed a late own goal to secure its third straight win, 1-0 win over Sparta Prague.
Nick Woltemande converted from the spot in the 67th minute to salvage a 2-2 home draw for Juventus against Rennes, but the hosts had a potential winner by Jhon Lucumi ruled out by VAR.
It was Woltemade's third goal in three games in the competition after joining on loan from Newcastle.
The Bianconeri pressured early and took the lead on a quick attack after Zeki Çelik collected a through pass from Woltemade. But Musa Al-Taamari equalized and Boulaye Dia calmy gave the visitors the lead from the spot, sending Juve goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario the wrong way.
Like Juve, Sunderland hoped to make it three wins from three on a trip to Lech Poznań. Forward Timur Tutierov put the Premier League side ahead with a header with his first Europa League goal in the second minute but substitute Leo Bengtsson made it 1-1 in the second half to earn a first point for the Polish club.
In other results, Crystal Palace drew 2-2 with 10-man Beşiktaş, Celtic lost 2-1 at home to Celta Vigo, Hoffenheim got its first points with a 3-0 win over Ligue 1 leader Lyon and Real Sociedad had the biggest win of the night, 6-0 at Lillestrøm.
Earlier, Marseille recorded a third straight loss, 1-0 to Sturm Graz, while Union Saint-Gilloise routed Israeli champion Hapoel Beer-Sheva 4-0. That game was played without fans in Düsseldorf, Germany, after authorities in Leuven, Belgium, refused to host it due to public safety.
In Istanbul, Palace's Yeremy Pini canceled out Beşiktaş' opening goal by Wilfred Ndidi and Jean Philippe Mateta pushed the English team ahead before Junior Olaitan leveled again. The English side failed to make use of a one-man advantage after Ümit Akdağ was sent off 13 minutes from time.
Czech provincial side Jablonec kept high-scoring Brighton at bay in a 0-0 draw in the Conference League, while former Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah marked his 150th game in European competitions by scoring again for Tranbzonspor in a 2-0 win over Hearts.
It was the second goal for Salah in the competition after netting in the previous 4-2 win away at KuPS Kuopio.
See AP’s full soccer coverage here
Crystal Palace's Yeremy Pino, right, and Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta celebrate their side first goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Besiktas and Crystal Palace in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)
Juventus' Nick Woltemade celebrates scoring during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between Juventus and Rennes in Turin, Italy, Thursday Oct. 22, 2026. (Fabio Ferrari/LaPresse)
Hoffenheim's Andrej Kramaric celebrates scoring their first goal during the Europa League opening phase soccer match between TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Olympique Lyon, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, in Sinsheim, Germany. (Uwe Anspach/dpa via AP)
AC Milan's goalkeeper Mike Maignan, center, is ordered to leave the field after he was shown a red card during the Europa League soccer match between Bournemouth and AC Milan in Bournemouth, England, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Bournemouth's Marcus Tavernier scores their second goal from a penalty kick during the Europa League soccer match between Bournemouth and AC Milan in Bournemouth, England, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
AC Milan's Omari Hutchinson, top, and Atalanta's Relja Obric challenge for the ball during the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Atalanta in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Bournemouth's Junior Kroupi, centre left, attends a training session ahead of the Europa League opening phase soccer match against AC Milan in Bournemouth, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (Andrew Matthews/PA via AP)
