The Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) at the International Criminal Court (ICC) was established under the authority of the Rome Statute, the founding treaty of the ICC. Adopted in 1998 and entering into force in 2002, the Rome Statute empowers the ICC to investigate and prosecute the gravest crimes of concern to the international community, including genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. The Statute enshrines the rights of victims to both protection and participation in proceedings before the ICC, as set out in Article 68. It further affirms their right to reparations, establishing in Article 75 a framework through which the Court may issue reparations awards against convicted individuals. Under Article 79, the Statute provides for the creation of the Trust Fund for Victims, to be administered in accordance with criteria set by the Assembly of States Parties (ASP) and dedicated to providing reparative measures to victims.

Given the vast number of individuals affected by Rome Statute crimes — and the frequently limited financial capacity of convicted persons — the TFV plays an indispensable role. Together with the Court, it constitutes the reparative justice pillar of the Rome Statute system. Through the ICC and the TFV, the Rome Statute gives effect to victims' right to redress by making provision for effective, prompt, genuine and impartial investigations; ensuring access to justice; and providing reparations to victims and their families to address the harm suffered as a result of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.

In line with the Statute, the mission of the TFV is to give effect to victims' right to reparations — which may take the form of restitution, compensation or rehabilitation, for example — to facilitate the implementation of awards made by the Court against convicted persons, and to undertake initiatives for the benefit of victims and their families. Through its programmes and activities, the TFV aims to contribute to redressing the harm suffered by victims of Rome Statute crimes. It also seeks to mobilise sufficient resources and strengthen its capacity to pursue its mission, striving to be an impactful, agile and efficient body of the Rome Statute system.

The Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims at the ICC was established by the Assembly of States Parties to direct the activities and projects of the Trust Fund and the allocation of resources to programmes for the benefit of victims. Board members serve in a pro-bono and individual capacity and shall conduct their work with independence.