Navanethem Pillay is set to receive the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize. This is the first time a person of Tamil descent will receive a Nobel Prize. Having served as a judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC), she gained wide acclaim for legally establishing that `gender-based violence, sexual assault, and spreading false propaganda are crimes against humanity. These can lead to charges of genocide.'

Amid political attacks on international legal institutions, this award was announced for former ICC judge Navanethem Pillay, in support of courts that hold those responsible for heinous international crimes accountable.
Within hours of this announcement, U.S. President Donald Trump intensified his campaign against the International Criminal Court and imposed sanctions on the institution.
The U.S. Treasury Department has announced an initial six-month grace period for the sanctions. This announcement has put the United States on a collision course with European allies that strongly support the ICC.
It is noteworthy that the United States has continued to criticize the ICC over the arrest warrants issued against officials including Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in the Gaza case, as well as the investigation into alleged crimes committed by U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
ICC Deputy Chief Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan said, "These actions by the United States are intended to undermine international law and the work of an independent judicial institution. Our investigations and prosecutions will continue."
After the Trump administration announced economic sanctions against the ICC, which investigates and prosecutes genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, the court strongly condemned the move.
In this regard, the ICC Court has appealed to its 125 member states, saying, “This is an attack on the rule of law and the foundation of the international legal system. The independence of the court must be protected. This court cannot stand alone. Its future lies in the hands of the countries that created it. The consequences will extend beyond this institution. This is not just about protecting a single institution; it is about safeguarding an international order based on the rule of law. History will judge this moment.”
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has called for, “This 6-month extension provides an opportunity for negotiations. The European Union has ways to ensure that the court continues its work. The European Union should implement a ‘blocking statute’ to protect the court from the impact of U.S. actions.”
Junior Vikatan's exclusive Whatsapp Group...
Click here to join... https://tinyurl.com/2b963ppb
Hello,
From BIG BREAKINGS to politics, society, crime, cinema, and more — impactful updates and in-depth articles from all areas.
Attention-grabbing articles from Junior Vikatan magazine and digital, here instantly... https://tinyurl.com/2b963ppb