The 31st of August 2022, marks the end of the tenure of Pieter de Baan as Executive Director to the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Mr De Baan has led the TFV since 2010 and will continue in the new role of Adviser to the Board of Directors from 1 September 2022 until June 2023, in support of the leadership transition at the TFV Secretariat.
Mr De Baan said, “It has been a privilege to have the opportunity to serve at the TFV, the ICC and in Rome Statute system. I wish to thank the different Boards of Directors for giving me the opportunity to serve in this position, for their encouragement and confidence in me. the experience has been fulfilling in ensuring victims’ rights for reparations are realised in the international criminal justice system.”
He continued, “We have come a long way with the Trust Fund for Victims. Our work and mandate, as envisaged in the Rome Statute and in the TFV Regulations, is ultimately about creating reparative value for victims, and with victims. Their healing and recovery must be at the centre of international justice. We have a duty to recognise and not forget the harm that victims have suffered from these gravest crimes, even when committed long ago. We need to amplify their voices, and to recognise their agency towards achieving dignity, healing and a sense that justice is being done.”
“Based on the foundations we have now laid at the TFV, I am confident about the institution’s ability to further strengthen its mandate under new leadership. I encourage all stakeholders, and especially our precious donors, to continue to stand with the victims, and with the Trust Fund for Victims at the International Criminal Court.”
“My sentiment today is a mixture, of acknowledging the privilege to have served in this role, and of pride to have shared this experience with such a great team. I have told my colleagues that if there has been anything that has kept me going, it has been their drive, commitment and perseverance, as well as their knowledge, wisdom and collegiality.”
The TFV Board of Directors has requested Franziska Eckelmans, Legal Adviser, to assume the role of Acting Executive Director as of 1 September 2022 during the interim period until the recruitment process has been finalised. Meanwhile, this continued commitment to the TFV by Mr De Baan in his new role will support a carefully managed leadership transition at the TFV.
In recent years the Trust Fund for Victims has known significant growth, in line with the development of its mandate and the related increasing work load. The TFV portfolio now includes four reparations programmes and seven assistance programmes in ICC situation countries. The TFV Secretariat grew from seven to more than 20 staff and currently has 25 implementing partners, ranging from grassroots non-governmental organisations to international organisations.
For more information about the Trust Fund for Victims, please contact: trustfundforvictims@icc-cpi.int or visit: www.trustfundforvictims.org