Spain contributes two million euros to the Trust Fund for Victims of the International Criminal Court

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, signs the agreement to contribute two million euros to the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) of the International Criminal Court

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, has met with the President of the Board of Directors of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Trust Fund, Minou Tavárez Mirabal, and has signed an agreement to formalise the contribution of two million euros to the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) of the International Criminal Court.

Of this contribution, which constitutes the third largest single contribution ever made to the TFV, one million will be dedicated to the Lubanga Reparations Programme and will ensure that all remaining former child soldiers (in this case out of 2,471 eligible beneficiaries) receive the reparations ordered by the ICC in this case involving the recruitment, conscription and use of child soldiers under the age of 15.

This contribution is a sign of the priority Spain gives to the protection of children in armed conflict and its commitment to justice, reparation and reintegration of all victims of crimes under the jurisdiction of the ICC.

A total of 750,000 euros will be used to fund a future assistance programme for war victims in Ukraine, including consultations with key stakeholders in the design of such a programme.

Also, 250,000 euros of the contribution will be used to fund future victim assistance programmes, including consultations with key stakeholders in the design of such programmes, in situations where the ICC has jurisdiction but the 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"

On the contribution to the Fund, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation stated that "Spain strongly supports the work of the Trust Fund for Victims, which is more necessary than ever in light of the proliferation of conflicts and growing humanitarian needs. This contribution aims to provide reparation and assistance to all victims of international crimes, including vulnerable groups such as children in armed conflict. Victim assistance has always been one of our foreign policy priorities.

In welcoming this contribution, the Chair of the Board of Directors of the TFV stated that "we extend our deepest gratitude to Spain for significantly increasing its support to the Trust Fund for Victims this year. This generous contribution demonstrates a commitment to redressing the harm suffered by victims of Rome Statute crimes and sets a remarkable example for other States. It demonstrates a victim-centred policy that allows for the implementation of programmes for victims in cases convicted by the ICC, as well as in situations where investigations or judicial proceedings are ongoing".

Background and context

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 250,000 euros. In 2024, Spain participates in the Junior Professional Officers Programme at the ICC, funding several positions, including one in the Trust Fund for Victims.

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

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 provide reparations to victims. With regard to assistance for the benefit of victims, in 2023 alone, more than 26,000 individuals benefited directly from seven TFV programmes.

The Trust Fund for Victims of the ICC is one of the pillars of restorative justice in the Rome Statute. It contributes to the realisation of victims' right to reparation, including restitution, compensation and rehabilitation. The initiatives extend to victims and their families within the ICC's jurisdiction.

Non official translation