The Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) at the International Criminal Court (ICC) is pleased to announce the unrestricted voluntary contribution of EUR 20,000 received from the Republic of Malta this year for programmes for the benefit of victims of crimes under the jurisdiction of the ICC. The Trust Fund for Victims intends to use this contribution for initial consultations to determine the feasibility of starting programmes in the nine situations under jurisdiction of the ICC, where the TFV does not yet operate.
H.E Mr. Sheikh Mohammed Belal, member of the TFV Board of Directors, stated, "The Trust Fund for Victims welcomes with appreciation Malta's contribution which highlights the significance of global collaborative efforts to address the harms suffered by victims of Rome Statute crimes. We encourage continued support from States Parties and private donors. Malta's ongoing commitment plays a vital role in delivering the reparative justice mandate of the Rome Statute."
H.E. Mr. Mark Pace, Ambassador of the Republic of Malta to the Kingdom of the Netherlands said, "The Republic of Malta underlines the unique characteristics of the International Criminal Court, especially its role in supporting the multilateral framework and the rule-based international order by ensuring that the gravest international crimes do not go unpunished." Within this context Ambassador Pace noted that "In addition to Malta's full commitment in cooperating with the ICC to ensure accountability, Malta is also a firm supporter of the complimentary efforts of the Trust Fund for Victims, in its mission to implement restorative justice, by empowering victims of the gravest crimes and their families to heal, reclaim their dignity, and contribute to reconciliation and peacebuilding within their communities."
Since 2004, the TFV has received over EUR 48 million from 52 States Parties and individuals. This year, the TFV has increased contributions from States Parties by at least 35% from 2022 from at least 23 States Parties. The Republic of Malta made its first contribution to the TFV in 2021, and since it has done so annually.
The Trust Fund for Victims at the ICC is the pillar of reparative justice of the Rome Statute, dedicated to realising the right of reparations for victims-encompassing restitution, compensation, and rehabilitation.
In 2023, the Trust Fund for Victims has concluded the first judicial cycle of the ICC, with the completion of the reparation programme for victims in the Katanga case. The TFV continues implementing reparation programmes for victims of crimes against humanity and war crimes in the cases of Lubanga, Al Mahdi, and Ntaganda, while awaiting the reparations order 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 programs are currently being implemented 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.
