Sweden contributes SEK 15 million to the Trust Fund for Victims, to redressing the harm suffered by victims of Rome Statute crimes
The Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) at the International Criminal Court (ICC) welcomes the announcement of the Government of Sweden to make a voluntary contribution of 15 million Swedish Krona or approximately EUR 1,3 million, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Rome Statute. This unrestricted contribution will be used to redress the harm suffered by victims of Rome Statute crimes, through reparations awards ordered by the ICC and other programmes for their benefit.
Speaking on Sweden's unwavering support to the Rome Statute and the Trust Fund for Victims, the Swedish Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E Mr Tobias Billström said, “On the 25th anniversary of the Rome statute, I reaffirm Sweden’s full support for the International Criminal Court. An effective international criminal justice system is more important than ever. Supporting and protecting the rights of victims is crucial. The Trust Fund for Victims is an essential part of the Rome Statute system and a cornerstone of reparative justice for victims of the most serious crimes, whoever and wherever they are. As a long-time supporter of the TFV, Sweden is convinced that justice for victims of the most atrocious crimes is a collective responsibility. I encourage other State Parties to join in contributing to the TFV’s work to ensure that justice and dignity for victims can be achieved.”
The TFV is extremely grateful to Sweden and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency for the fourth multiannual funding agreement for the period 2023-2025. As the TFV’s biggest donor to date, Sweden continues to show resolute commitment to address the harm suffered by victims of crimes under the ICC’s jurisdiction. Since 2004, Sweden has provided over EUR 11 million or around 23% of the total voluntary contributions from the ICC States Parties and private individuals to the TFV.
The Chair of the TFV Board of Directors, Ms Minou Tavárez Mirabal said, "This multi-year funding of Sweden, a long-standing partner of the Trust Fund for Victims, is essential for the delivery of programmes which respond to the harms experienced by victims. Justice and reparations are core elements of the Rome Statute. On the 25th anniversary of the Statute, we strongly call on all States Parties to support the Trust Fund for Victims in our efforts to realise victims’ rights to reparation.”
The TFV relies on financial contributions to implement its programmes. An unrestricted or not earmarked voluntary contribution is important to allow the Board of Directors the flexibility to allocate the resources to programmes where it is most impactful and necessary. The support of donors of unrestricted funding, such as Sweden is paramount to enable the TFV to support victims and their families on their path of healing and recovery so that they can successfully rebuild their lives.
Since 2004, the TFV has received over EUR 47 million from 52 States Parties and individuals. In 2022, the TFV received over EUR 3,8 million in voluntary contributions. For 2023, the TFV has received or is in the process of receiving contributions from Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
With the contributions it receives, the Trust Fund for Victims is currently implementing reparation programmes for victims of crimes against humanity and war crimes in in the cases of Katanga, Lubanga, Al Mahdi, and victims in urgent need in the Ntaganda case, while being involved in reparation proceedings in the Ongwen case. The TFV is also implementing other programmes for the benefit of victims through the provision of medical treatment, psychological rehabilitation, socio-economic support, education and peace building activities with collaboration from local authorities and close involvement of local communities. These programmes are currently being implemented in seven situations under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court in the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Georgia, Kenya, Mali and Uganda.
For more information about the Trust Fund for Victims, please contact: trustfundforvictims@icc-cpi.int or visit: www.trustfundforvictims.org