International Criminal Court Wins EU Sakharov Human Rights Prize

The International Criminal Court and its officials won the European Union's Sakharov Prize on Thursday. The Trump administration sanctioned the court days earlier.

• 6 months: the window US firms have to end business with the court.
• 1988: the year the Parliament created the prize, named for Andrei Sakharov.
• The Socialists and Democrats group, a center-left bloc, nominated the court.
• Other finalists were Tanzania's Tundu Lissu and Iran's jailed Rahimi twins.

Why it matters: The sanctions block the ICC from US financial services, US technology companies and US dollars. The prize signals where the European Parliament stands in that fight.

• Parliament President Roberta Metsola said the prize recognizes the court's work upholding international law.
• ICC President Tomoko Akane said the court faces "unprecedented challenges."

How 11 sources split on this story

What’s next: EU leaders urged Washington to reverse the sanctions and said the six-month delay leaves room for diplomacy.

• The EU blocking statute is one option to bar European firms from complying.
• The award ceremony takes place in December.
• Will the EU actually invoke its blocking statute if diplomacy with Washington fails?
• Can the court keep operating once the six-month wind-down for US companies ends?