News Archive

  ·  01 February 2008
Death of Dr. Reinaldo Botero Bedoya, Member of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission [01/02/2008]
The International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission is deeply saddened to learn of the unexpected death of its member Dr. Reinaldo Botero Bedoya on 21 January 2008.

Dr. Reinaldo Botero Bedoya was a Colombian national. In 2006 he was elected to the Commission by the States parties to the 1st Protocol to the Geneva Convention which have recognised the competence of the Commission.

The death of Dr. Reinaldo Botero Bedoya deprives the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission of an outstanding fighter for human rights. His tireless activity on behalf of human rights and against impunity was greatly appreciated by all his colleagues.

The members of the Commission express their sincere condolences to his family and friends.

  ·  28 November 2007
IHFFC side-event to the 30th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in Geneva with Professor Louise Doswald-Beck [28/11/2007]
On the occasion of the 30th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in Geneva at the end of November 2007, the IHFFC organised a side-event on Fact-Finding as a Means to Better Implement IHL: Current Issues. The IHFFC was delighted to welcome Louise Doswald-Beck, professor and director at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights (ADH) and board member of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), who shared her valuable knowledge on this topic with the audience.

Mrs. Doswald-Beck participated in the ICJ fact-finding mission in the recent conflict between Lebanon and Israel. She was therefore able to give practical examples of basic problems arising in the context of a fact-finding mission, such as the legal classification of a conflict, the security of a mission, the handling of evidence, and dealing with witnesses.

Her comments were followed by an animated discussion on these issues.

  ·  26 October 2007
The Principality of Monaco recognises the competence of the IHFFC [26/10/2007]
On 26 October 2007, the Government of the Principality of Monaco recognised the competence of the IHFFC. The Principality of Monaco is the 70th State to have done so.

  ·  23 October 2007
Participation of the IHFFC to the 30th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in Geneva and Side Event [23/10/2007]
The IHFFC will participate, in the capacity as observer, to the 30th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which will take place in Geneva from 26 - 30 November 2007

On the occasion of this Conference the IHFFC will organize a Side-Event on Wednesday, 28 November 2007, from 13.00 - 14.00 in the CICG in Geneva (room 15) to which all delegates will be invited.

The topic of the Side-Event will be: Fact-finding as a mean to better implement IHL: current issues. The IHFFC is delighted to announce that Lt. General Satish Nambiar from India will be the IHFFC's special guest at this event. Mr. Nambiar is a worldwide known expert in the field of military law and recently acted as chair of the Legal Expert Inquiry established by the International Commission of Jurists concerning possible violations of international humanitarian law during the hostilities in Israel and Lebanon. He will share some of his experience at this Side-Event.

  ·  24 September 2007
New brochure available [24/09/2007]
In the past month the IHFFC-Brochure was reviewed and adapted to the latest developments and new approaches of the Commission. The new brochures are available in English and French at the Secretariat of the Commission and will be soon available online.

  ·  03 September 2007
Prof. Eric David was severely wounded last week [03/09/2007]
It is with deep regret that the Commission has to announce that its Member Prof. Eric David was severely wounded last week, having been knocked over by a motorcycle during his usual morning bicycle run from his home to the University in Brussels. The Commission wishes Prof. David all the best for his recovery.

  ·  31 August 2007
The IHFFC at 2nd Commonwealth Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference in Wellington [31/08/2007]
The IHFFC attended the 2nd Commonwealth Red Cross and Red Crescent Conference in Wellington New Zealand from 29 to 31 August 2007, chaired by the former President of the IHFFC, Sir Kenneth Keith. The Commission was represented by Col. Charles Garraway. The IHFFC was offered the opportunity in a plenary session to present itself to the delegates.

To see the slides of the presentation, please click here.

  ·  20 June 2007
Participation of the IHFFC to the Regional Symposium for the 30th Anniversary of the Additional Protocols of 1977 in Beijing [20/06/2007]
From 18 to 19 June 2007 the President of the IHFFC, Prof. Michael Bothe, participated and presented the IHFFC at the regional Symposium for the 30th Anniversary of the Adoption of the 1977 Protocols Additional to the Geneva Convention of 12 August 1949, which took place in Beijing and was organized jointly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People Republic of China and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Prof. Bothe took the opportunity to have contacts with number of representatives of Asia States which are not yet members of the IHFFC.

  ·  06 June 2007
Presentation of the IHFFC before the COJUR (EU) in Brussels [06/06/2007]
The IHFFC was invited by the EU Council Working Group on Public International Law (COJUR) for a presentation during its session of 6 June in Brussels. The Commission was represented by its President, Prof. Michael Bothe, Prof. Eric David and Ambassador Christine Schraner Burgener, Secretary of the Commission. Three presentations were made: about its existence and functioning in general, current activities and logistical aspects of the potential operations. A lively discussion followed with the delegates of the COJUR.

To see the slides of the three presentations, please click on the respective item below:

existence and functioning; current activities; logistical aspects

  ·  23 March 2007
The IHFFC adopts a Plan of action [23/03/2007]
Following the annual meeting 2007, which took place from 14 to 16 March in Geneva, the members of the IHFFC adopted a plan of action with the aim of reinforcing the visibility and the presence of the Commission among the international community and its position and readiness to fulfil its mandate.

The Commission understands its role, as conceived by Art. 90, as meaning that it could and should be used as an effective instrument of the States Parties to comply with their obligation to ensure respect for the Geneva Conventions and the Additional Protocols. It has the important function of ascertaining facts in order to ensure a better implementation of international humanitarian law. The Commission, by respecting the spirit of the Conventions and the Additional Protocols, has indeed taken, a proactive stance by offering its good offices whenever it deems this to be appropriate. It intends to increase its activities in this respect.

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