Finland becomes the first State to support the Ongwen reparations programme, and reinforces assistance for sexual and gender-based violence survivors 

Photo: Ms Kaija Suvanto, Director General for Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and Mr Andres Parmas, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims, during the 24^th session of the Assembly of States Parties to the ICC, held at the World Forum in The Hague, The Netherlands, in December 2025. 

The Republic of Finland, a State Party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) since 2000, has made a voluntary contribution of EUR 400,000 to the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV), reaffirming its commitment to international justice and the rights of victims of crimes under the Rome Statute. 

The contribution of Finland is earmarked to strengthen support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and to advance Court-ordered reparations. A portion of the contribution is specifically allocated to the reparations programme in the case of Dominic Ongwen, making Finland the first State to support this programme. 

The remaining funds are earmarked to support survivors of SGBV through the TFV’s assistance programme in the Central African Republic, enabling access to essential medical care, mental health and psychosocial support, and economic empowerment. In addition, part of the contribution will support reparations for former child soldiers in the Lubanga and Ntaganda cases. 

Through this contribution, Finland reinforces a victim-centred approach that addresses both the long-term consequences of sexual and gender-based violence and the specific harm suffered by victims in ICC cases, ensuring that reparations and assistance translate into tangible, life-changing support. 

H.E. Kevin Kelly, a member of the Board of Directors of the TFV stated, “Finland’s remarkably generous donation will go a long way in bolstering the TFV’s efforts to provide support to SGBV survivors. On behalf of the Board of Directors, I cannot stress enough how greatly we appreciate Finland’s consistent, principled commitment to victim-centred justice. Contributions of this kind enable the TFV to restore hope in affected communities and allow them the means to live their lives in dignity.” 

Ms Kaija Suvanto, Director General for Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland stated, “The full realisation of the rights of victims and survivors is at the heart of the Rome Statute system. Since 2004, Finland has supported the essential work of the ICC Trust Fund for Victims by annual contributions that have particularly benefitted the survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Our continued support reaffirms Finland’s commitment to the victims of most serious crimes.” 

Finland has provided regular voluntary contributions to the TFV since 2004 and is the third-largest contributor to the TFV, having generously contributed with over EUR 5.1 million, representing more than 8% of the TFV’s annual budget over that period. A significant portion of these contributions has been allocated to programmes supporting survivors of sexual and gender-based violence. Finland is also the largest contributor to the TFV programme in the Central African Republic. As mentioned above, the first State to make a voluntary contribution to the Ongwen reparation programme, reinforcing its leadership in promoting its funding.  

For more information about the Trust Fund for Victims at the ICC, please contact trustfundforvictims@icc-cpi.int or visit www.trustfundforvictims.org. You can also follow TFV’s activities on X, LinkedIn, Bluesky, and Facebook. 

 
Background information about the Trust Fund for Victims 

Voluntary contributions to the Trust Fund for Victims ensure the delivery of the reparative mandate of the International Criminal Court by funding services and activities that provide recognition, commemoration and material support through rehabilitative programmes. 

The TFV appeals to States Parties and other entities to contribute to the delivery of reparations to victims in dire need, particularly in relation to the Ntaganda and Ongwen cases. The annual programme funding target of the TFV is set at a minimum of EUR 10 million. 

Contributions to the Trust Fund for Victims qualify as Official Development Assistance (ODA)-eligible. TFV programmes for the benefit of victims of crimes under the jurisdiction of the ICC contribute to the broader impact of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16), poverty reduction (SDG 1), good health and well-being (SDG 3), gender equality (SDG 5), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), reduced inequalities (SDG 10) and climate action (SDG 13). 

Source: Trust Fund for Victims