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Reparations

Rehabilitating victims of serious human rights violations

Reparations in justice include financial compensation for victims of international crimes and serious human rights violations. As well as non-financial, collective or symbolic measures. They represent a key tool in restoring the dignity of victims and promoting reconciliation and social justice. From the workings of the International Criminal Court Trust Fund to the restitution of cultural assets stolen during colonization to the recognition of victims of the "Genocost" in the Democratic Republic of Congo or victims of sexual violence in the Catholic Church,, read the latest news on reparations, documented by our experts.

Political treaty on the future of the Chagos Islands between the United Kingdom and Mauritius. Photo: The island of Diego Garcia seen from a satellite.
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Will the Chagos treaty address the wrongs of the past?

In October 2024, the United Kingdom and Mauritius suddenly announced that they had “reached a political agreement on the future” of the Chagos islands, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean from which around 2,000 Chagossians were forcibly removed in the 1960’s by the British. But many elements of the coming treaty are apparently unresolved.
By Janet H. Anderson (our correspondent in The Hague)
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Indigenous rights in Australia: the role of King Charles III of the United Kingdom and the imprint of the Commonwealth. Photo: King Charles observes a performance by an Aboriginal group.

Indigenous rights in Australia: the rôle of the Crown

Reparations (financial compensation) from the Special Criminal Court (CPS) in the Central African Republic. Photo: A boy pulls two oxen carrying bags of peanuts in Paoua.

Central African Republic reparations: what victims say about first payments

In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the aid fund for victims of the ‘6-day war’ (often called ‘Genocost’ in the DRC) is struggling to fulfil its mission. Frivao is suspected of embezzlement and needs to be overhauled. Photo: Kisangani cemetery.

DRC: Victims’ fund overhauled  amid embezzlement suspicions

Chiquita trial - Photo: a promotional stand featuring only Chiquita bananas. At the very top, the brand's mascot. At the front of the booth, a large button and a sign reading “Push to start the show”.

Lessons from the Chiquita Trial (2): The Battle of Experts

Chiquita trial in Florida - Photo: an employee of banana multinational Chiquita works in a factory in Colombia (Uruba).

Insights from the Chiquita trial (1): 25 years of struggle

Victim of militias in 2003 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ruth Biangire was able to benefit from the help of the International Criminal Court (ICC). Photo: Ruth Biangire poses in her store, where she sells petrol in cans and bottles.

ICC/DRC: Reparations leave victims feeling sore (2/2)

International Criminal Court (ICC) reparations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Photo: Farmer Kiza Nzungu Bwanafasi with his cows in Ituri province (DRC).

ICC/DRC: Reparations leave Bogoro victims feeling sore (1/2)

Georgia's 2008 war against Russia: who will pay compensation for the victims? Photo: Elderly civilian victims near their burnt-down home following the Russian invasion.

Georgia 2008 war: when Russia won’t pay victims, solutions still exist

War in Ukraine and repairs to civilian targets: the case of companies. Photo: The Hotel Ukraine in Chernihiv destroyed by a Russian missile.

Is a war-ruined business in Ukraine entitled to compensation?

International Central Securities Depositories (ICSDs): an option for financing Ukraine with Russian money. Image: photo montage of a rouble coin, a Ukrainian flag and frost.

Finding money for Ukraine: the return of a Cold War financial tool

In Ukraine, a claim for reparation (compensation) for damages and destructions is launched. Photos: several images of Ukrainians in front of civilian buildings (often homes) destroyed by Russian missiles.

Register of Damages for Ukraine: “The biggest claims program in history”

In Chad, General Mahamat Idriss Deby, President of the transition, relaunches the issue of reparations for the victims of Hissène Habré's dictatorship. Photo: Idriss Deby, under escort, raises his hand to greet the crowd.

Chad: coup de théâtre for Habré's victims

Residents of an Ugandan village listen to the International Criminal Court's (ICC) sentence of Dominic Ongwen, on the radio.

Reparations: can the ICC's millions benefit victims in Uganda?

Mevloud Kharazishvili, victim of the war in Georgia and beneficiary of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Trust Fund for Victims assistance programme. Photo: Kharazishvili shows the pasture where he was kidnapped by Russian soldiers.

Georgia: ICC Trust Fund for Victims struggles with reality

In the Central African Republic, the Special Criminal Court (SCC) is expected to decide reparation for victims. Photo: First trial of the Special Criminal Court in Bangui, in 2022.

Reparations: Special Criminal Court opts for pragmatism

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has ordered €52 million in reparations for the victims of Dominic Ongwen in Uganda. Photo: Judge Bertram Schmitt.

The wild reparations order of the ICC

Restitution of stolen gold royal artefacts to Ghana’s Asante king.

Ghana’s looted Asante gold comes home – what’s the deal?

Herero genocide in Namibia - Propaganda painting showing German soldiers confronting Herero fighters.

A stroll into Germany’s conflicted postcolonial memory