GCRT April 8, 2023

Trust Fund for Victims to Launch Programme in Georgia

The Trust Fund for Victims (TFV) at the International Criminal Court (ICC) is pleased to announce this week’s official launch of its transformative reparation programme in Georgia. The reparations programme will focus on providing  the most vulnerable victims with medical treatment, counselling and psychosocial support, as well as livelihood and socio-economic initiatives to address conflict-related harm. The TFV programme for victims of the Situation in Georgia, which is under the jurisdiction of the ICC, is in regards to victims of war crimes and crimes against humanity of the conflict in and around South Ossetia that took place between 1 July and 10 October 2008 (‘2008 Conflict).

Andres Parmas, member of the TFV Board of Directors, said, “This is a historic moment for TFV and ICC, as we launch a first TFV reparation programme outside the African continent. As a representative of the Eastern European Group of States, I welcome this programme that is sadly so necessary to alleviate the suffering of the victims of the 2008 conflict. Even after 15 years since the crimes were committed, victims still suffer physical harm and live with psychological trauma. Through this programme, the TFV aims at addressing victims harm and empowering them to move forward with hope and dignity.”

The Acting TFV Executive Director, Franziska Eckelmans underlined that, “The TFV Board of Directors decided on 10 November 2020 to initiate this programme for a duration of three years and allocated an initial EUR 600,000 to this programme. Given the limited funds available, the TFV will only be able to address a limited number of victims of the 2008 conflict. However, the TFV stands ready to receive additional earmarked contributions and welcomes in particular the EUR 20,000 already received from Lithuania for the programme in Georgia.”

The TFV has selected two organisations, the Georgian Centre for Psychosocial and Medical Rehabilitation of Torture Victims (GCRT) and the Global Initiative on Psychiatry, Tbilisi (GIP-T), to partner with on the implementation of the rehabilitation services to victims of the 2008 conflict. The rehabilitation projects started on 1 April 2023, following a rigorous, open, and competitive call for proposals process conducted by the TFV and ICC. The programme and project activities have been developed in close consultation with victims, affected communities, the relevant authorities, and the implementing partners.

The TFV will continue its efforts to raise funds and mobilise resources as well as to advocate among donors and supporters that victims in Georgia receive the assistance they need. The TFV appreciates the support of the Georgian government towards the programme and looks forward to working together to rehabilitate victim injuries of the 2008 conflict.

For more information about the Trust Fund for Victims, please contact: trustfundforvictims@icc-cpi.int or visit: www.trustfundforvictims.org.

Source: Trust Fund for Victims

A scene from Tserovani displacement settlement in the Republic of Georgia. From the series Life After Conflict.
Photo: Pete Muller for the ICC