OPCV20 Victims Donation Campaign: TFV Board of Directors Endorses Launch of Private Fundraising Effort on the Day of International Criminal Justice
On the occasion of the Day of International Criminal Justice, the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) at the International Criminal Court (ICC) has endorsed and welcomed the launch of the OPCV20 Victims Donation Campaign, an initiative led by the Office of Public Counsel for Victims (OPCV).
The initiative commemorates the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the OPCV, whose work includes representing thousands of victims across all situations in judicial proceedings before the ICC. The Campaign aims to strengthen the consensus on the importance of reparations in fostering just and prosperous societies.
The OPCV20 Victims Donation Campaign targets individuals, especially lawyers and others legal professionals, civil society organisations, and the general public to mobilise resources for the benefit of victims. All funds raised during the Campaign will be used to fund TFV programmes implemented in accordance with the Court’s reparation orders.
Mr Andres Parmas, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims stated:
“On this day, we honour the resilience of victims and survivors of the world’s most serious crimes, whose lives have been shattered, yet who possess both the right and the determination to heal and thrive. Genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression shatter our common bonds. It is thus a collective responsibility to act decisively in favour of affected communities around the world through judicial processes, policies, legislation, and measures that redress the physical, mental, economic, and societal harm caused by atrocities. Contributions from private individuals through the OPCV20 Victims Donation Campaign are a tangible way to make reparations a reality and represent a powerful expression of solidarity and advocacy for victims.”
Ms Paolina Massidda, Principal Counsel of the OPCV stated:
“For two decades, the OPCV has stood alongside victims in their pursuit of justice. However, justice does not end with convictions. Victims need meaningful reparations to rebuild their lives, their communities, and their futures. The OPCV20 Victims Donation Campaign offers a concrete way for anyone who wishes to contribute to the realisation of victims’ rights to reparations and to ensure that their voices continue to be heard beyond the courtroom.”
The Campaign, which will run until 31 December 2025, features conferences and public debates with specialised and general audiences. Donations will be collected via the crowdfunding platform WhyDonate, and will benefit medical and psychological rehabilitation, education, livelihood support, and initiatives to fight stigma suffered by survivors and to foster the reconstruction of the social bonds within affected communities in in relation to harms caused in relation to crimes convicted in the context of the ICC situations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali and Uganda.
More information about the campaign can be found in this link.
Background Information
The TFV contributes to fulfilling the principles of reparative justice established in the Rome Statute by implementing measures that recognise and redress the harm caused to victims and their families by the crimes under the jurisdiction of the ICC. The programmes for victims established by the Trust Fund for Victims are financed through a combination of sources, including voluntary contributions from public and private sources. The Office of Public Counsel for Victims provides legal representation to victims throughout the proceedings before the ICC, as well as legal assistance and support to external lawyers appointed by victims.