African Union, Addis Abeba, 7 to 9 June 2010 [09/06/2010]
A delegation of the IHFFC met with Mr Ramtane Lamamra, Ambassador, Commissioner for Peace & Security, and various other representatives of the African Union as well as the ICRC. The delegation presented the IHFFC and underlined the role it can play in international dispute settlement as well as in the implementation of international humanitarian law.
· 23 February 2010
Members of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission (IHFFC) hold their annual meeting 2010 in Geneva [23/02/2010]
Beside the renewed expression of their strong will to assume the role the IHFFC has been provided with by the international community, members will take the occasion of this annual meeting (24 to 26 February) to discuss opportunities and actions needed after the IHFFC has been granted observer status by the UN General Assembly last December.
Furthermore, issues and ideas developed during the workshop on IHL implementation mechanisms at the occasion of the Conference "60 Years of the Geneva Conventions and the Decades Ahead" organised by Switzerland last November in Geneva, will be deepened.
· 17 December 2009
The International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission obtains the observer status at the UN General Assembly [17/12/2009]
Switzerland, in its function as Secretariat of the IHFFC, formally requested the Secretary General to include in the agenda of the sixty-fourth session of the General Assembly the item entitled "Granting of observer status for the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission in the General Assembly". An explanatory memorandum and a related draft resolution were attached to the request.
Almost 60 states accepted to co-sponsor the resolution, which was thereafter recommended for adoption by the 6th Committee by consensus on 23 October and approved by the General Assembly in its Resolution number 64/121, dated 16 December 2009.
· 04 June 2009
Retrospective on the activities 2009/10 of the IHFFC [04/06/2009]
Read the summary report by the President Prof. Michael Bothe.
· 20 February 2009
The Republic of Estonia recognises the competence of the IHFFC [20/02/2009]
On 20 February 2009, the Government of the Republic of Estonia recognised the competence of the IHFFC. Estonia is the 71st State to have done so.
· 16 February 2009
Presentation of the IHFFC before the African Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives to the UN in Geneva [16/02/2009]
At the occasion of a meeting of all Ambassadors and Permanent Representatives to the UN from African States in Geneva on 16 January 2009, Prof. Michael Bothe, President of the IHFFC, had the opportunity to speak about the IHFFC. He presented the IHFFC and underlined the role it can play in international dispute settlement as well as in the implementation of international humanitarian law.
Read the presentation of Prof. Michael Bothe.
· 13 February 2009
Annual Meeting 2009 Press release [13/02/2009]
The International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission completed its Annual Meeting in Geneva on the 13th of February. The Commission is established pursuant to the First Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions for the protection of the victims of armed conflicts. Its statutory function is to conduct inquiries where there are allegations of violations of the Conventions and the Protocol. In fulfilling the role entrusted to it by the Protocol, it has reviewed current armed conflicts and noted with regret and dismay the numerous allegations of violations of international humanitarian law. The Commission reiterates its conviction that the clarification of the facts concerning alleged violations of the law remains necessary, would contribute to a restoration of respect for international humanitarian law and could be conducive to the re-establishment of confidence between the parties. Thus, such clarification would facilitate the return to peace. The Commission reminds all actors concerned that it is at their disposal to fulfil this important humanitarian task.
· 23 October 2008
Statement of the President of the IHFFC at a side-event to the meeting of the 6th Committee of the UN General Assembly in New York [23/10/2008]
On the occasion of the debate of the 6th Committee of the UN General Assembly on the status of the Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions the President, Prof. Michael Bothe, and the Vice-President, Prof. Jeannette Irigoin-Barrenne, took the opportunity to present the IHFFC and its recent activities and reflections in a side-event to the discussion of the 6th Committee.
Read the statement of Prof. Michael Bothe.
· 01 September 2008
Participation of the IHFFC to the conference entitled "Promoting Compliance with International Humanitarian Law: A Major Challenge, A Global Responsability" [01/09/2008]
The IHFFC, represented by Prof. Elzbieta Mikos-Skuza, 3rd Vice-President, will participate to the conference entitled "Promoting Compliance with International Humanitarian Law: A Major Challenge, A Global Responsability" which will take place in the European Parliament in Brussels on 16 September 2008. The objective of the conference is to raise broad awareness about ongoing IHL violations and to discuss what more can be done to promote compliance with IHL. The IHFFC is pleased to be able to contribute to this aim.
· 27 February 2008
Election of a new Member [27/02/2008]
At the occasion of their annual meeting from 27 to 29 February 2008 and pursuant to Article 90, Paragraph 1 (e), of Protocol I the Members of the IHFFC have elected General Jose Louis Rasamoelina from Madagascar as its new Member in replacement of the late Reinaldo Botero Bedoya.
General Rasamoelina is a jurist and a military officer in the Madagascan Armed Forces.
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