Switzerland pledges €106,000 to support victims of international crimes

Gulu City | Switzerland has reinforced its role as a staunch supporter of international justice by making a voluntary contribution of €106,000 to the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The contribution underscores the country’s continued commitment to the rights and dignity of victims of the gravest international crimes.

A State Party to the ICC since 2001, Switzerland confirmed that the funding is unrestricted, allowing it to be allocated where it is most needed.

The resources will support reparations ordered by the ICC as well as broader programmes designed to address the harm suffered by victims of crimes under the Rome Statute.

Welcoming the contribution, H.E. Kevin Kelly, Member of the Board of Directors of the TFV, praised Switzerland’s consistency and leadership.

“Switzerland made its first donation 20 years ago, and its steadfast support for the Trust Fund for Victims ever since has made a considerable impact on our work and on providing reparative justice to victims of crimes under the Rome Statute,” he said.

Switzerland’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, H.E. Corinne Cicéron Bühler, emphasized the human dimension of justice.

“Justice is only fully realized once it reaches those who have suffered the most,” she stated. “Switzerland’s voluntary contribution reflects our longstanding commitment to a victim-centered approach to justice and the values enshrined in the Rome Statute. The Trust Fund plays a vital role in restoring dignity to victims of mass atrocities.”

Since 2005, Switzerland has been a regular contributor to the TFV, providing more than €800,000 in total to date. The sustained support has helped the Fund deliver reparations, rehabilitation, and assistance to victims in situations before the ICC.

The Trust Fund for Victims relies on voluntary contributions to carry out its mandate, which includes recognition, commemoration, and material support through rehabilitative programmes.

It has issued a particular appeal for support linked to the Ntaganda and Ongwen cases, as it seeks to meet its annual programme funding target of at least €10 million.

Contributions to the TFV qualify as Official Development Assistance (ODA) and contribute to several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These goals include peace and justice, poverty reduction, health and well-being, gender equality, and reduced inequalities—highlighting the broader global impact of Switzerland’s commitment to victims of international crimes.