Japan’s crucial support strengthens justice and hope for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence

The Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) at the International Criminal Court (ICC) is pleased to announce that Japan, a State Party to the ICC since 2007, has provided a contribution to the TFV for a total amount of EUR 36,420.  Japan’s contribution will help uphold the rights of survivors and address the harm suffered by those affected by sexual and gender-based violence. Through TFV programmes, survivors receive medical assistance, trauma counselling, education, and socio-economic support. Additionally, initiatives promoting new masculinities are being implemented to foster familial and societal reconciliation. These programmes are currently being carried out in the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Georgia, Kenya, Mali, and Uganda.

H.E. Mr. Tareque Muhammad, member of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims at the ICC stated, “Japan’s continued support for the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) is invaluable, especially during a time of growing challenges to the Court and the international justice system. As one of the ICC’s largest contributors and a consistent TFV supporter since 2014, Japan’s commitment helps restore dignity, hope, and resilience to survivors of grave crimes. This steadfast dedication is a powerful example of solidarity and shared responsibility for justice”.

H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Minami, Ambassador of Japan to the Kingdom of the Netherlands underscored Japan’s steadfast commitment to supporting the important work of the TFV, which represents the “human side” of efforts undertaken by the ICC. In this respect, Ambassador Minami recalled that Japan is a decade-long contributor to the TFV and commended the creative approach employed by the TFV with a view to diversifying its sources for funding.

Japan has been a regular contributor to the ICC Trust Fund for Victims since 2014.

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, Bluesky and Facebook.

Background information

Voluntary contributions received by the Trust Fund for Victims ensured the completion of the first ever reparation programme for victims in the Katanga case in October 2023. Ongoing reparations are also being implemented in the Lubanga and Al Mahdi cases. Additionally, the TFV is actively implementing reparations for one group of victims in the Ntaganda case, who are also part of the Lubanga programme for former child soldiers and preparing the reparations programme for a second group of victims of attacks in the Ntaganda case.  

In June 2024, the TFV launched its First Funding Appeal of EUR 5 million in the Ongwencase to enable the implementation of the Trial Chamber’s EUR 52.4 million Reparations Order of 28 February 2024, which aims to benefit more than 40,000 victims. The Trust Fund for Victims seeks to mobilise at least EUR 5 million annually to progressively implement the Ongwen Reparations Order.

For 2024-2025, the TFV is also implementing other programmes for the benefit of victims in seven situations under the jurisdiction of the ICC, namely in the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Georgia, Kenya, Mali and Uganda. These programmes provide medical treatment, psychological rehabilitation, socio-economic support, education, peacebuilding, and commemoration activities, in collaboration with local authorities and communities. 

TFV programmes for the benefit of victims of crimes under the jurisdiction of the ICC contribute to the broader impact of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16), poverty reduction (SDG 1), good health and well-being (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), climate action (SDG 13), and reduced inequalities (SDG 10).

The Trust Fund for Victims at the ICC contributes to fulfill the principles of reparative justice established in the Rome Statute by implementing measures that recognise and redress the harm caused by genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression on victims and their families.