Despite everything

Photo: Pete Muller

Paul, 23, tells of how he spent his youth running from attacks by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). He was abducted at age 9 1/2, and spent 2 years in captivity in the bush. The commanding officers forced him to commit many horrendous acts.

Returning home, he found support from his family. “My childhood dream was to become a medical worker,” says the former child soldier. “If it were not for the abduction, I might have been one already.” When we spoke to him at the end of 2019, Paul had finally done it: he started a 3-year programme of study in Gulu’s nursing school.

Investigation – Uganda

The ICC's investigation into this situation focussed on alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the context of a conflict between the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and the national authorities in Uganda since 1 July 2002 (when the Rome Statute entered into force).

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

This prosthesis saved my life

Photo: Finbarr O’Reilly

Erick was hit in the leg with a bullet during a battle between government forces and a militia and had to be amputated. The Trust Fund for Victims assistance project provided Erick with prosthesis, as well as psychological support. Erick has also received support for his children’s school fees and with his small business selling fuel and phone credits by the roadside outside the family home.

Investigation – Democratic Republic of the Congo

The ICC's investigation into this situation focuses on alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the context of armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo since 1 July 2002 (when the Rome Statute entered into force).

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

As far as the eye can see

Photo: UNHCR/F. Noy

A young refugee from Darfur, Sudan, contemplates the northern part of the Farchana camp in Chad from a hill that cut the refugee's site in two, December 2011.

Investigation – Darfur, Sudan

The ICC's investigation into this situation focuses on alleged genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in in Darfur, Sudan, since 1 July 2002 (when the Rome Statute entered into force).

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

Strong enough

Photo: Rena Effendi

It was very early and people were still asleep one morning in 2004 as men swept through Aicha's neighborhood killing, pillaging and raping indiscriminately. Aicha told us of how she was gang-raped by five men. Her family moved and kept the incident a secret in order for her to marry. She did so, and started a family.

However, she was attacked again during the 2012 conflict: kidnapped, brutally raped and locked in a guarded shed to be killed the next morning. Aicha's guard disapproved of this plan and told her: "If you are strong enough to run, then run!" Aicha ran for her life.

Investigation – Central African Republic

The ICC's investigation into this situation focussed on alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the context of a conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) since 1 July 2002, with the peak of violence in 2002 and 2003. In opening the investigation in May 2007, the Office of the Prosecutor stated: "This is the first time the Prosecutor is opening an investigation in which allegations of sexual crimes far outnumber alleged killings.”

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

Displaced by violence

Photo: Marcus Bleasdale/VII

Internally displaced person (IDP) camp in Eldoret where over 10,000 people sought refuge after the post-election violence in Kenya in 2007/2008.

Investigation – Kenya

The ICC's investigation into this situation focussed on alleged crimes against humanity committed in the context of post-election violence in Kenya in 2007/2008.

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

Hunger and despair

Photo: UN Photo/UNHCR/Alexis Duclos

A refugee in despair at a transit camp in Choucha Ras Djir, situated eight kilometres from the Tunisian border with Libya, 27 February 2011. More than 55,000 new refugees from Libya were registered in the ten days leading up to the date of this photograph. At the same moment, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was building a new camp to accommodate 12,000-15,000 new arrivals.

Investigation – Libya

The ICC's investigation into this situation focuses on alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in the context of the situation in Libya since 15 February 2011.

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

More than I ever have

Photo: Pete Muller

During the political crisis of 2011, Ibrahim's wife, Miriam, was shot in the face by attackers in the city of Duekoue, Côte d’Ivoire. Miraculously, she survived. The family fled. "She is shy about her scars... I want her to know that I love her more than I ever have," says Ibrahim.

Investigation – Côte d’Ivoire

The ICC's investigation into this situation focuses on alleged crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court committed in the context of post-election violence in Côte d'Ivoire in 2010/2011, but also since 19 September 2002 to the present.

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

The sacred destroyed

Photo: MINUSMA/Marco Dormino

"Destroying the mausoleums ... aimed at breaking the soul of the people of Timbuktu." – Al Mahdi case judgment, ICC Trial Chamber VIII

Malians tell of what is lost through the destruction of cultural heritage – the memories of one's ancestors, one's sense of connection with them and with future generations.

Investigation – Mali

The ICC's investigation into this situation focuses on alleged war crimes committed in Mali since January 2012, including but not limited to attacks on historical and religious buildings.

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

The bullet hit

Photo: Rena Effendi

As violence broke out during the conflict, Gervais had his wife and children hide in a church. He himself was shot. The bullet entered under his ear and passed through his skull exiting through his eye. He fell down and laid for hours bleeding and unconscious until his sister discovered him and rushed him to the hospital. In spite of his injuries, he continues to work as a carpenter, making chairs, window and door frames for the people in his neighbourhood, and takes pride in his work and family.

Investigation – Central African Republic II

The ICC's investigation into this situation focussed on alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the context of renewed violence starting in 2012 in CAR.

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

They burned my home

Photo: Pete Muller

Fleeing from the conflict after watching her home being burned, Elene helped another elderly couple survive 10 days in hiding. “We found a natural spring from which we could drink and there was a pile of hay nearby where we could rest,” she said. “We lay quietly on the hay listening to the sound of tanks rumbling on the road nearby.”

Investigation – Georgia

The ICC's investigation into this situation focussed on alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in the context of an international armed conflict between 1 July and 10 October 2008.

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

Rebuilding a life, brick by brick

Photo: EU/ECHO/Anouk Delafortrie

Refugees in this camp in Tanzania fled Burundi during the violence that sparked in April 2015. Among several projects funded by the European Commission, refugees worked together with humanitarian partners to build 10,000 shelters in these camps, to replace the weathered tents they were living in. Nearly 300,000 people reportedly fled Burundi since the election-related violence starting in April 2015.

Investigation – Burundi

The ICC's investigation into this situation focuses on alleged crimes against humanity committed in Burundi or by nationals of Burundi outside Burundi since 26 April 2015 until 26 October 2017.

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

By the ruins

Photo: UN Photo/Shareef Sarhan

A man walks through the remains of a destroyed building in Gaza, 17 July 2014.

Investigation – State of Palestine

The ICC's investigation into this situation focuses on crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court that are alleged to have been committed in the situation since 13 June 2014, the date to which reference is made in the Referral of the Situation to the Office of the Prosecutor.

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

Far from home

Photo: European Union

Rohingya refugee children walking in Unchiprang camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, 2018. Photo taken by the European Union during humanitarian assistance projects providing life-saving support to vulnerable Rohingya civilians and host communities in Bangladesh.

Investigation – Bangladesh/Myanmar

The ICC's investigation into this situation focuses, within the parameters set out by the Pre-Trial Chamber, on crimes allegedly committed against the Rohingya population, including but not limited to waves of violence in 2016 and 2017.

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

Returning home

Photo: UN Photo/Eric Kanalstein

A group of Afghan women, former refugees newly returned from Iran, gathers at a UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) returnee camp in Sari Pul, Afghanistan, 2009.

Investigation – Afghanistan

The ICC's investigation into this situation focuses on alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Afghanistan since 1 May 2003.

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

A so-called war

Photo: Human Rights Watch/Carlo Gabuco

“Karla” was 12 when her aunt was allegedly killed. Karla attended the funeral, and it was attacked. She hid under her aunt’s coffin, and from there she witnessed her father get shot. Both alleged killings were reportedly part of the so-called "war on drugs" campaign. Karla, at age 14 in this 2019 photo, lives in the streets with her two brothers.

Investigation – Philippines

The ICC's investigation into this situation focuses on any alleged crime within the jurisdiction of the Court, including but not limited to the crime against humanity of murder, committed in the Philippines between 1 November 2011 and 16 March 2019 in the context of the so-called “war on drugs” campaign.

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

Crossing borders

Photo: Muse Mohammed/IOM

A massive migration of persons has taken place in recent years, some reportedly due to the alleged crimes against humanity referred to the ICC, others to the more general context of instability and economic collapse in the country.

Investigation – Venezuela I

States Parties referred the situation in Venezuela to the Prosecutor, for alleged crimes against humanity in the country since 2014. The Prosecutor opened an investigation in 2021.

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

The sky turned black

Photo: Finbarr O'Reilly

A woman watches a burning oil depot that local residents say had been hit by a mortar barrage from across the Dnipro River in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, 19 November 2022.

Investigation – Ukraine

The ICC's investigation into this situation focuses on alleged crimes committed in the context of situation in Ukraine since 21 November 2013.

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

People are still afraid to go back

Baudouin, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Photo: Finbarr O'Reilly

Following an attack in their hometown, Baudouin and his family lost their house, livestock and fields and ended up in a displaced camp near a UN base in Bunia.

From the ICC Court-ordered reparations made by the Trust Fund for Victims, Baudouin invested in tuition for his eldest son who is studying to be an IT specialist. The remaining award allowed him to acquire power tools for his carpentry business and earn enough to buy his house.

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

I never stole even a pen

Former child soldier, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Photo: Finbarr O'Reilly

Abducted from school and forced to become a soldier at the age of 12, he spent 5 years in militias until they were disarmed when he was 17. Meanwhile, one of the militias shot and killed his father.

“These experiences put me so far back in life.”

“The first time I was in battle when I was 12, it was a small fight that lasted maybe two hours. They gave us alcohol, drugs to smoke, and traditional medicines, but I always refused them, so I was very scared that first time.”

“Demobilization for me was ok because I had never raped or pillaged. For a long time I had nightmares and trouble sleeping and pain in my chest. But I’ve received psychological and medical care and am doing better now. I’m paying for two of my siblings to go to school, but still need to find money to send my own three kids to school.”

Now 34, he had received ICC reparations made through the Trust Fund for Victims. He underwent psychological and psychosomatic care and treatments, and received vocational training and school support for his children. Once his vocational training is finished he will receive support for income-generating activities.

“Today I am very happy to be among the beneficiaries of the reparation project. I am currently receiving medical care and I feel a clear improvement.”

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

We lost our family, our home, and everything we owned

Obed, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Photo: Finbarr O'Reilly

During a 2003 conflict in his village, Obed’s father and older sister were killed. The entire town was sacked. Obed was a recipient of ICC Court-ordered reparations made through the Trust Fund for Victims. From this, the family bought a ball of used clothes to sell and paid for Obed’s mother’s funeral costs when she passed away. They invested the majority of the funds in covering the costs of school fees and a computer for Obed’s son so he can study.

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

A home for her daughter

Dorika, North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Photo: Finbarr O'Reilly

Dorika was abandoned by her husband after she was raped. She now lives with her parents and her daughter. Through support from the Trust Fund for Victims programme in North Kivu, she became part of a collective of women, all survivors of sexual violence.

She got a micro-credit loan to start a small clothing business. She aims to save enough money to buy her own small plot of land and build a home for herself and her daughter. Through her loan repayments, other micro-credits are financed, and more women are helped to earn a living.

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

Across generations

Ruta and Rebecca, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Photo: Finbarr O'Reilly

During the ongoing conflicts, Ruta and her daughter Rebecca were attacked and raped 16 years apart, and both became pregnant after the rape.

They received a micro-credit loan from a Trust Fund for Victims programme and have been learning how to make clothes at a tailor’s workshop. Once their training is complete, they will receive a sewing machine from the TFV-funded project to help them earn a better living.

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

I felt like I had no value

Virginie, Ituri, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Photo: Finbarr O'Reilly

In 2002, members of a militia attacked Virginie’s town. She was out getting water when she heard shooting and explosions as attackers began burning homes. As she rushed home, a friend nearby was hit in the arm by a bullet and Virginie was shot in the foot. She was taken to a hospital, where her right leg was amputated. For 12 years she used crutches, but mobility was a challenge.

In 2016, Virginie became a beneficiary of a Trust Fund for Victims programme. She received a leg prosthesis which has improved her mobility. She also received a loan to start her small shop on a main road in Bunia.

“Before the prosthesis, I felt like I had no value. Since getting the prosthesis, I started an association for the handicapped, to help other people get prosthetics.”

“For a long time I was alone and traumatized. People helped me when they saw I had nothing.”

The photos and accompanying captions are for the purpose of the exhibition only. They do not represent, and are without prejudice to, the legal findings in specific cases and situations before the Court.

The ICC and SDG16: Peace and Justice

The International Criminal Court works to promote a more peaceful, just world by promoting access to justice, demanding accountability, and helping to deter crimes.

This exhibit is a part of that work. Listening, learning and engaging with survivors is the first step to access to justice. Sharing these stories helps raise awareness of the crimes, bringing them into focus, to foster global support for our work on accountability and deterrence.

The journey to justice is one towards healing and reconciliation, which paves a path to lasting peace.

We call on the world to unite in these goals.

Credits

This exhibition was produced by the International Criminal Court as part of events to commemorate 17 July, the anniversary of the Rome Statute. The ICC collaborated with the Trust Fund for Victims to capture and share the photographs from the Democratic Republic of the Congo about ICC reparations and other Trust Fund for Victims programmes.

Thank you to the photographers and organisations that provided these photographs and to the staff that made it possible to document and share these stories.

The ICC is grateful for the generous support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Municipality of The Hague, the European Union, the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ireland, and Sweden, represented by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency fund, in producing physical versions of this exhibit.