00:01The European Parliament on Thursday awarded the International Criminal Court, the ICC, the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, signalling
00:11opposition to U.S. sanctions threatening the court's work.
00:15The annual prize recognises individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms.
00:23The European Union is built on respect for multilateralism and international institutions, and this prize recognises the important work of
00:33the court in upholding international law and justice.
00:38U.S. President Donald Trump's administration announced sanctions against the ICC on October the 9th, following repeated criticism of its
00:48arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and its investigation into the conduct of U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
00:55The Parliament's political group leaders choose the ICC over two other shortlisted candidates, Tanzanian lawyer Tundu Lissou, who faces political
01:04persecution,
01:05and Iranian sisters Taraneh and Romina Rahimi, nominated on behalf of those persecuted by Iran's authorities.
01:13Last week, MEPs from across the political spectrum urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to protect the Netherlands
01:21-based court from U.S. sanctions.
01:23Thank you very much.
01:25Thank you very much.
