Czech Republic increases its contribution for the benefit of victims of Rome Statute crimes

The Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) at the International Criminal Court (ICC) announces with appreciation that the Government of Czech Republic, a State Party to the ICC since 21 July 2009, renewed and increased its voluntary contribution to the TFV for 2024 for a total amount of CZK 1,000,000 (approximately EUR 40,000). This unrestricted contribution, which is doubled from the one received in 2023, 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.

In welcoming the contribution, Andres Parmas, member of the TFV Board of Directors stated, “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I extend our heartfelt thanks to the Czech Republic for their contribution. This generous support highlights the Czech Republic’s dedication to addressing the harm endured by victims of Rome Statute crimes. Such contributions are vital in enabling us to provide meaningful reparations and support, helping survivors restore their lives and dignity.”

H.E. René Miko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Czech Republic to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons  said, “I am pleased to announce the Czech contribution to the Trust Fund for Victims. We consider the protection and support of the victims as one of the essential tasks and obligations of the work of the international criminal justice system. It is an indisputable and inseparable part of international law. Our current contribution to the Trust Fund for Victims demonstrates the long-term support and importance that the Czech Republic has attached to the International Criminal Court.”

The Czech Republic has been consistently supporting the programmes for the benefit of victims implemented by the Trust Fund for Victims through sustained and progressively increasing voluntary contributions since 2011.

For more information about the Trust Fund for Victims, please contact [email protected] or visit: www.trustfundforvictims.org. You can also follow TFV’s activities on X, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Background information

Voluntary funding received by the Trust Fund for Victims has allowed the completion of the first judicial cycle of the ICC, with the finalisation of the reparation programme for victims in the Katanga case in October 2023. Implementation of reparations programmes is ongoing in the Lubanga and Al Mahdi cases. The Trust Fund for Victims is also preparing the start of the reparations programme in the Ntaganda case. Also, in June 2024, the TFV launched its First Ongwen case Funding Appeal to enable the implementation of the Trial Chamber’s EUR 52.4 million Reparations Order of 28 February 2024, which seeks to benefit more than 40,000 victims.  After fulfilling this first funding appeal, the Trust Fund for Victims intends to mobilise at least EUR 5 million per year to progressively implement the Ongwen Reparation Order. 

In 2024-2025, the TFV is also implementing other programmes for the benefit of victims in seven situations under the jurisdiction of the ICC in the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Georgia, Kenya, Mali and Uganda. The programmes include through the provision of medical treatment, psychological rehabilitation, socio-economic support, education, peacebuilding, and commemoration activities with collaboration from local authorities and local communities. In 2023, over 24,000 individuals directly benefitted from seven programmes of the TFV.

The Trust Fund for Victims at the ICC is one of the pillars of reparative justice of the Rome Statute which contributes to realising the right of reparations for victims—encompassing restitution, compensation, and rehabilitation. Initiatives extend to victims and families within the ICC’s jurisdiction.