Press Release: 21 December 2020

 

 

Finland affirms its commitment to the Trust Fund for Victims and survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence

 

 

 

The Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) at the International Criminal Court (ICC) extends it gratitude to the Government of Finland, which has contributed a further 200,000 to the work of the TFV, specifically earmarked for survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

 

This contribution by the Government of Finland constitutes the final instalment of its four-year multiannual agreement (2017 – 2020) with a total value of  €800,000. This is the Government of Finland’s second multiannual agreement with the TFV. Since 2004 Finland has provided contributions of over €3.3 million to the TFV.

 

Speaking on Finland’s contribution and support of the TFV H.E. Paivi Kaukoranta, Ambassador of Finland to the Netherlands said “It is a priority for Finland to take action to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls everywhere. We need justice systems that ensure that no act of violence goes unpunished. Our consistent support of the TFV and our contribution is affirmation of support of the Rome Statute system and Finland’s belief that there should be no impunity for the heinous crimes that fall under the jurisdiction of the ICC”.

 

“Once again the Government of Finland demonstrates its commitment to victims and survivors ” said Chair of the TFV Board of Directors Mama Koité Doumbia. “Beyond the physical and mental trauma for survivors of conflict related sexual violence also lies the stigmatisation and shame that they endure. By consistently earmarking its voluntary contributions, Finland enables the TFV to assist victim-survivors of sexual and gender based violence to regain their dignity and autonomy, and tells them “you are not alone, we support you”.

 

TFV Executive Director Pieter De Baan said “Our partnership with Finland reflects the values and leadership of our previous Chair of the Board, Ms Elisabeth Rehn, which are continued without wavering in Finland’s engagement on victimisation resulting from sexual crimes.”.

 

On 8th December the Government of Finland co-hosted a virtual event with the Government of the Dominican Republic and the TFV on the topic of Ending Violence Against Women and Girls under the Rome Statute System, in support of the United Nations Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign. This year’s theme for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women is “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”

 

 

For more information about the Trust Fund for Victims, please contact: trustfundforvictims@icc-cpi.int or visit: www.trustfundforvictims.org