The Kingdom of Spain contributes EUR 2 million to the Trust Fund for Victims to strengthen the victim-centred mandate of the ICC

Today, the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims, Minou Tavárez Mirabal and the Executive Director, Deborah Ruiz Verduzco met with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain, José Manuel Albares and signed an agreement to formalise this landmark contribution of EUR 2 million euros to the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) at the International Criminal Court (ICC).

EUR 1.000.000 from this contribution will be dedicated to the Lubanga Reparation Programme and will ensure that all of the remaining former child soldiers in this case of 2471 eligible beneficiaries receive the reparations ordered by the ICC in this case about the enlistment, conscription and use of child soldiers under the age of 15 years. 

This contribution is consistent with the priority that Spain gives to the protection of children in armed conflicts and with its commitment to justice, reparation and reintegration of all victims of crimes under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.

A total amount of EUR 750.000 will be used to finance a future assistance programme for victims of the war in Ukraine, including consultations with key stakeholders in designing such activities.

In addition, EUR 250.000 from the contribution will be used to finance future assistance programmes for victims, including consultations with key stakeholders in designing such programmes, in situations where the ICC has jurisdiction but TFV is not yet active. These situations are Afghanistan, Bangladesh/Myanmar, Burundi, Darfur (Sudan), Libya, State of Palestine, Republic of the Philippines and Venezuela.

“More necessary than ever before”
 

Speaking on this contribution to the TFV, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain, José Manuel Albares Bueno, said, “Spain strongly supports the work of the Trust Fund for Victims, which is more necessary than ever in light of escalating conflicts and increasing humanitarian needs. This contribution aims to provide reparation and reintegration of all victims of international crimes, including vulnerable groups such as children in armed conflict. Victim’s assistance has always been at the forefront of our foreign policy.”

In welcoming this contribution, Minou Tavárez Mirabal, Chair of the TFV Board of Directors stated, "We extend our deepest gratitude to Spain for significantly increasing their support to the Trust Fund for Victims this year. This generous contribution demonstrates a commitment to redressing harm suffered by victims of Rome Statute crimes and sets a remarkable example for other States. It demonstrates a victim-driven policy which allows the implementation of programmes for victims in cases in which convictions have been issued by the ICC, as well as in situations where there are investigations or judicial proceedings. "

For more information about the Trust Fund for Victims, please contact trustfundforvictims@icc-cpi.int or visit: www.trustfundforvictims.org.You can also follow TFV’s activities on X, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

Background Information

Spain, a state party to the Rome Statute since 24 October 2000, has regularly provided voluntary contributions to the TFV since 2006. In 2023, it provided the TFV with a general contribution of EUR 250,000. In 2024, Spain is taking part in the Junior Professional Officers Programme at the ICC, funding several positions, including one at the Trust Fund for Victims.

With voluntary funding to the Trust Fund for Victims, the first judicial cycle of the ICC fully concluded in October 2023 with the completion of the reparation programme for victims in the Katanga case. The TFV plans to complete by 2026 the reparation programmes for victims of crimes against humanity and war crimes in the cases of Al Mahdi and Lubanga, and to start as soon as resources are available, the programmes for victims in the Ntaganda and the Ongwen cases.

By the end of 2023, more than 3,100 victims found eligible by the ICC had received reparations in three cases, in which the ICC ordered a convicted person to award reparations to victims. Concerning assistance for the benefit of victims, in 2023 alone over 26,000 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.