(FILES) This photograph shows a view of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague. AFP
The award came just days after the Trump administration announced sweeping new sanctions on the ICC 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 at the parliament in Strasbourg, France, after a standing ovation.
The Sakharov Prize announcement came after the United States earlier this month imposed sanctions on the ICC, just hours after the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to a former judge on the court, South Africa's Navi Pillay.
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.
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.
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.
EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said Europe "stands firmly behind" the International Criminal Court after it won the bloc's top rights prize.
"The International Criminal Court must be free to pursue its mission, independently, and without pressure or intimidation," von der Leyen posted online.
Branding the court a "rogue institution", Trump has expressed anger over the ICC's decision to issue an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Netanyahu stands accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity, including starvation as a method of warfare and murder in the Gaza Strip.
The Trump administration's sanctions cut off the court from U.S.-based financial services, technology companies and even using 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.
The US is also running a diplomatic campaign pressuring countries to withdraw from the court -- a call already heeded by Nauru, Chad, Venezuela, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, all of which have signalled they will leave the ICC.
The 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.
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