Reaffirming its support for reparative justice and the related mandates of the Trust fund for Victims (TFV) at the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Government of Ireland has pledged a voluntary contribution of €300,000 contribution to the TFV this year. This marks a significant increase in its annual contribution, which amounted to €200,000 in 2020, and demonstrates Ireland’s strong support for the TFV and its critical work in support of the reparative justice function of the Rome Statute.
The voluntary contribution will be equally divided, with €150,000 assigned to the reparations mandate and €150,000 to the assistance mandate.
Speaking on Ireland’s support for the TFV and the Rome Statute, H.E. Kevin Kelly, Ambassador of Ireland to the Kingdom of the Netherlands said “With this contribution Ireland wishes to signal its commitment to international criminal justice and to ensuring victims of the worst crimes are seen, heard and delivered the justice they deserve. This increased contribution from Ireland is also an expression of our confidence in the TFV to fulfil its critically important mandate of making reparative justice a reality and giving dignity and hope to victims of crimes under the ICC’s jurisdiction”.
Baroness Arminka Helić, the TFV Board Director representing the Western European and other States Parties, welcomed the contribution saying “On behalf of the Board of Directors of the TFV I extend my warmest thanks to Ambassador Kelly and the Government of Ireland for this increased contribution and the message it sends. Ireland has been a tireless supporter of the TFV and its mission and has truly engaged with our work at every level to ensure we can deliver on our mandate. Ireland has shown itself to be a staunch supporter of the fight against impunity and for this the TFV Board of Directors is very grateful”.
TFV Executive Director Pieter de Baan thanked the Irish Government saying “The steadily increasing value of Ireland’s contributions to the TFV signals strong political support, as well as an apt recognition of the increasing portfolio of the TFV, across reparations cases and situation countries. Ireland’s designation recognises the importance of both judicial reparations and assistance activities in responding to the gravity of harm suffered by victims of Rome Statute crimes.”
On 18 March 2021, H.E. Ambassador Kevin Kelly and ICC President Judge Piotr Hofmański unveiled a new artwork donated by Ireland to the International Criminal Court (ICC), symbolising Ireland’s support for the Rome Statute, its commitment to ending impunity and it’s clear understanding that justice is a prerequisite for lasting peace, stability and equitable development.