The Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) welcomes the 30 January 2025 decision of Trial Chamber II of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which, based on the Final Report on the Implementation of Reparations submitted by the TFV on 2 December 2024, determines that the reparations proceedings in the case of The Prosecutor v. Germain Katanga have concluded.
This decision is the first of its kind in the procedural and judicial history of the ICC. The efforts and investment that led to the successful completion of the first reparations proceedings underscore that the realisation of victims’ rights are central to the pursuit of justice, to which the 125 States Parties to the Rome Statute are bound.
The TFV Board of Directors joins the Trial Chamber in recognising the commitment of the victims of the 24 February 2003 massacre that took place in Bogoro – the incident adjudicated in this case; of the financial contributions of the Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland and the Kingdom of the Netherlands; and of the cooperation by the authorities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), all of which made possible the delivery of the awards.
The TFV Board of Directors also joins the Trial Chamber in acknowledging the contributions of the Legal Representative of Victims (LRV), the Legal Representative of Victims of the Office of Public Counsel for Victims (OPCV), and the ICC Registry to the implementation of the reparations.
In its decision, the Trial Chamber commended the TFV for delivering the victims’ reparations in often challenging conditions, ranging from the ongoing conflict in Ituri to the global crises of the Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic. The Trial Chamber also, while appreciating the value of the evaluation commissioned by the TFV on the effectiveness of the reparations and their impact on the lives of the victims, encourages the TFV to pursue evaluations on the efficiency and effectiveness of the administrative processes associated with the implementation of reparations. In this regard, the Board of Directors reiterates its commitment to accountability and continuous improvement in the delivery of prompt, substantive, relevant, well-managed and impactful reparations for victims of the most serious crimes. The Board of Directors will pursue all appropriate actions in this regard, in line with the Trial Chamber’s recommendation.
The Trial Chamber reminded of Mr Katanga’s liability to reimburse the TFV, and called on the Presidency to monitor Mr Katanga’s financial situation and take appropriate measure as needed. The Board of Directors reiterates its commitment to also continue pursuing inclusive and diversified strategies to finance reparations, including when convicted persons are unable to do so.
On the 21st anniversary of the massacre of Bogoro, the escalating armed conflict in the Eastern part of the DRC is witnessed with shock and desperation. The Board of Directors recalls that justice, including reparations, is instrumental in achieving peace and strengthening the rule of law. In this context, justice must serve as a means of restoring the dignity of those whose lives have been shattered, ensuring their suffering is acknowledged, and addressing the profound harm they have endured.
Photo: The victims’ committee considered how best to memorialize the crimes that occurred in Bogoro. In close collaboration with the Bogoro community and with the assistance of an architect, the committee developed a symbolic monument
Background Information
Following the conviction and sentencing of Mr Katanga in 2014 for crimes including one count of a crime against humanity (murder) and four counts of war crimes (murder, attacking a civilian population, destruction of property and pillaging), the ICC Trial Chamber awarded reparations of a value of USD 1 million to 297 victims. These reparations included a symbolic individual compensation as well as four modalities of collective reparations, such as support for housing, income-generating activities, education, and psychological care.
The Programme of Reparations was implemented between 2017 and 2023. The completion of the implementation of reparations was marked by a symbolic ceremony organised in Bunia, DRC, in April 2024 in the presence of more than 200 victims. In December 2024, a monument designed by the victims was completed to memorialise the massacre of Bogoro.
On 2 December 2024, the TFV, in line with its Regulations, submitted its final narrative and financial reports on the implementation of reparations (Annexes A and B), as well as a final report of the external evaluation of the programme (Annex C). On 30 January 2025, ICC Trial Chamber II concluded the reparations proceedings.
The TFV contributes to realising the pillars of reparative justice of the Rome Statute through measures that recognise and redress the harm of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression on victims and their families.
The Board of Directors is comprised of five members who, collectively and acting in their individual capacity, ensure the independent management of the voluntary resources of the Trust Fund for Victims and provide direction to the Secretariat of the TFV.
For more information about the TFV, please contact trustfundforvictims@icc-cpi.int or visit www.trustfundforvictims.org. You can also follow TFV’s activities on X, LinkedIn, Bluesky and Facebook.
