Statement of the TFV Board of Directors in relation to the Report of the Independent Expert Review

The Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) at the International Criminal Court (ICC) convened in remote sessions on 6 and 9 October to initiate consideration of the report of the Independent Experts, published on 30 September 2020, on their review of the International Criminal Court and the Rome Statute System.

The Board of Directors expresses its appreciation of the work of the Independent Experts, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the efforts of the Assembly of States Parties as well as the Court to strengthen the Rome Statute System.

The Board of Directors continue to carefully study the very important findings and recommendations of the Experts, in particular those relevant to victim-related issues in the Rome Statute, on the mandate of the Trust Fund, the role of the Board of Directors, and the work of its Secretariat.

The Board of Directors makes itself immediately available to the Assembly of States Parties to engage in constructive and action-oriented dialogue to address the findings and consider the recommendations put forward by the Independent Experts. This dialogue should include the Court, the Secretariat, civil society and the victims as central stakeholders. 

The Board of Directors reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that the Board and the Secretariat meet their responsibilities in securing the impact of the Trust Fund’s activities for the benefit of victims and their families and communities.

The Board of Directors underscores the central function of the Trust Fund for Victims as a unique mechanism within the Rome Statute System to contribute to the realization of the rights of victims to reparations and of their needs through assistance.

For further information on the Trust Fund for Victims, please e-mail to: trustfundforvictims@icc-cpi.int or visit the website at: www.trustfundforvictims.org