On Saturday, 2026-10-10, Navi Pillay, a South African lawyer who had just been named a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, recorded a video statement in which she sharply criticized the United States government’s decision to impose sanctions on the International Criminal Court. She described the move as "an unprecedented and unacceptable action," arguing that it singled out judges solely because of the judicial rulings they had issued. Pillay warned that such measures threaten the continued functioning of international courts, particularly the ICC based in The Hague.
The timing of Pillay’s statement was notable because it coincided with the official announcement of her Nobel Peace Prize award. She was announced as the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. The award was announced on the same day, 2026-10-10, linking her critique of US sanctions directly to the moment of her laureate recognition. She is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
Pillay’s criticism centered on the nature of the sanctions themselves. She said they targeted judges merely for issuing judicial rulings, calling the move unprecedented and unacceptable. The sanctions are measures imposed by the US administration on the International Criminal Court. She expressed concern over the continued functioning of international courts, particularly the ICC based in The Hague.
She said they targeted judges merely for issuing judicial rulings, calling the move unprecedented and unacceptable.
US President Donald Trump remains dissatisfied with his decision not to accept the award.
Nobel peace laureate Pillay calls ICC sanctions 'unacceptable'