Finland, a State Party to the ICC since 2000, has contributed EUR 400,000 to the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in support of survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in the Central African Republic and to advance reparations for former child soldiers in the Lubanga case.
This contribution comes from resources assigned by Finland to Official Development Assistance (ODA) activities. The contribution also represents, in part, the final instalment of a four-year grant agreement between the ICC/TFV and Finland, totalling €1,2 million.
Between 2019 and 2024, the TFV has provided holistic, immediate and long term support to 20,000 SGBV survivors across seven situations under the jurisdiction of the ICC. Finland's contribution to the SGBV-focused programme in the Central African Republic will ensure the continuation of activities across 27 locations in the country, which have to date directly benefitted around 10,000 SGBV survivors. Finland's grant will contribute to rehabilitative and memoralisation measures currently benefitting 2,471 eligible former child soldiers linked to the Lubanga case.
H.E. Mr Kevin Kelly, member of the TFV Board of Directors welcomed this contribution stating, "The SGBV programmes of the Trust Fund for Victims fill an important gap in the humanitarian response, ensuring both immediate and long-term impact for victims, their children, and communities, and the rule of law. Our reach and specialisation would not have been possible without Finland's substantive and consistent commitment to the rule of law and to victim-centred justice. Continued support to the ICC and its Trust Fund for Victims ensures that accountability and healing remain at the heart of the international justice system."
Kaija Suvanto, Director General for Legal Affairs, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland stated, "Reparations are a key component of international criminal justice today and the ICC system relies on the Trust Fund for Victims to implement the reparation orders, making the TFV an integral part of the Rome Statute system. Finland is a long-standing supporter of the Trust Fund for Victims. We consider the work of the Trust Fund essential in assisting victims of the most heinous crimes and their families in rebuilding their lives as well as strengthening the rights of women and girls."
Finland is the third-largest contributor to the TFV, having provided over €5 million in financial support through annual voluntary contributions since 2004. It has consistently dedicated a significant portion of these contributions to benefit survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Since 2012, Finland's contributions have been delivered through multi-year grant agreements, the latest of which was for the period of 2021-2024 for a total value of €1,2 million.
