Finland rises support to serious crimes victims in 3 African countries

Finland’s support will be targeted at providing assistance to victims of sexual and gender-based violence in Uganda, the Central African Republic and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), said the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in a press release on Wednesday.

The support will be also targeted at implementing reparations awarded to former child soldiers in DRC as ordered by the International Criminal Court.

“One of Finland’s key foreign policy objectives is to support the international rules-based system, in which the International Criminal Court (ICC) has a unique role,” said Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto.

According to the Minister, it is important that the victims be heard and involved in the process but they should also be supported in coping with their ordeal.

“Finland’s development cooperation is based on human rights. Finland supports victims of the most extensive and serious human rights violations. The majority of victims of sexual and gender-based violence are women and girls. Promoting their rights and status is one of the key objectives of Finland’s development policy,” said Minister for Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Ville Skinnari.

The Trust Fund for Victims at the ICC assists victims of the most serious crimes of international concern and human rights violations, including genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The Trust Fund for Victims carries out assistance programmes for victims and implements reparations ordered by the ICC.

Finland has supported the ICC Trust Fund for Victims since its establishment. By contributing EUR 575,000 in 2021, Finland significantly increases its support from previous years and becomes one of the largest donors of the Trust Fund for Victims.