The European Parliament awards its Sakharov Prize to the International Criminal Court

Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced the award in Strasbourg on Thursday. The prize is worth 50,000 euros, with a ceremony on Dec 16.

It comes after the United States announced new sanctions on Oct 9 meant to cripple the court's daily operations, hours after former ICC judge Navi Pillay received the Nobel Peace Prize.

“The International Criminal Court must be free to pursue its mission, independently, and without pressure or intimidation.”

— Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission president

The sanctions take effect in six months, and the EU is weighing a “blocking statute” to shield the court.