REDRESS welcomes the election of the board of directors for the ICC trust fund for victims

Today, REDRESS joins nongovernmental organisations and torture victims’ experts around the world in welcoming the election of five eminent persons to the Board of Directors of the International Criminal Court’s Trust Fund for Victims.

“The election of this Board demonstrates the strong commitment of the International Community to respond to the plight of victims of the world’s worst crimes,” stated Carla Ferstman, REDRESS’ Legal Director.

The Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court elected Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan; His Excellency Mr. Oscar Arias Sá nchez, former President of Costa Rica; His Excellency Mr. Tadeusz Mazowiecki, former Prime Minister of Poland; Mme. Simone Veil, former Minister of Health of France and former President of the European Parliament; and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former Chairman of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa.

REDRESS, which has lobbied extensively for the recognition of victims’ rights by the International Criminal Court hailed this election as an important victory for victims:

• Each of the Board Members will add well-deserved profile to the Court, and to the needs of victims in particular, she added.
• The Trust Fund will be an important complement to the other processes before this Court, and will enhance victims’ impressions of the justice process, which will include both retributive and reparative elements.
• All are encouraged to contribute to the Fund, to ensure that it is capable of meeting its important objectives.

For further information, please contact: Gabriela Echeverria at REDRESS:

+44 (0)207 793 1777; email: [email protected]