TFV commits to draft reparations plan for victims in Lubanga case
The Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) at the International Criminal Court (ICC) is firmly dedicated to ensure that the right of victims to reparations under the Rome Statute becomes a meaningful reality. More than eleven years have elapsed since the sufferings of victims in the Lubanga case. The time has come to deliver on their rightful expectations.
At its 12th Annual Meeting held from 17-19 March 2015 in The Hague, the Board of Directors of the TFV had the timely opportunity to consider the very first final reparations order issued by the ICC Appeals Chamber on 3 March 2015 in the case against Mr Thomas Lubanga, who has been convicted for the conscription, enlistment and use of child soldiers under the age of 15 in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
To assure an appropriate response to the harm suffered by victims in this case, the TFV reaffirms its commitment to consult with victims, their communities and other stakeholders in the course of drafting an implementation plan for reparations, which is due on 3 September 2015.
Effectively delivering reparative justice to victims depends on close collaboration between the TFV and the ICC. This requirement strongly featured in the engagements between the TFV Board of Directors and the ICC President, Judge Sylvia Fernandez, as well as the ICC Registrar, Mr Herman von Hebel.
The TFV Board confirms its intent to advance its resources from its reparations reserve for the purpose of collective reparations awards, in consideration of Mr Lubanga's current financial status as well as the absence of any other resources available for this purpose. The TFV Board also confirms that it is prepared to respond to the Appeals Chamber's suggestion to consider the use of the TFV's assistance mandate to address the harm suffered by those falling outside of the scope of the reparations order, including victim survivors of sexual and gender based violence and other affected groups and communities. The TFV Board will hold a special meeting in late July to review the development of the draft implementation plan.
The Board decided to raise its reparations reserve with additional € 1.2 million to a total of € 4.8 million to boost the TFV's future ability to complement collective reparations awards. The Board furthermore decided to obligate another € 2.9 million to its assistance programmes in northern Uganda and DRC, as well as significant resources to sustain the expansion of the TFV's activities under the assistance mandate and to improve systems supporting programme development and implementation.
The TFV Board of Directors strongly appeals to States Parties, as well as to private donors, to make voluntary contributions to sustain and further develop its ability to implement its reparations and assistance mandates under the Rome Statute. Next to unrestricted contributions, the TFV welcomes contributions earmarked to SGBV victim survivors, to the TFV's reparations reserve and to the psychological rehabilitation of victims.