The International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission (hereinafter referred to as "the Commission”) has taken note of the fact that the Russian Federation has decided to withdraw the declaration made at the time of ratifying the Additional Protocol I of 8 June 1977 to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, in accordance with Article 90, paragraph 2, thereof, recognizing ipso facto and without special agreement, in relation to any other High Contracting Party accepting the same obligation, the competence of the Commission. While the Commission would have very much appreciated that the Russian Federation upheld the declaration, it takes positive note of a Press Release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation on October 22, 2019, stating that: "The withdrawal of the said declaration will not affect Russia’s participation in Protocol I, which continues to remain valid. Moreover, we have opportunities to cooperate with the commission if need be. According to Protocol I, such cooperation may be based on the consent of the parties concerned.” The Commission looks forward to continuing cooperation between the Commission and the Russian Federation.
· 18 October 2019
IHFFC strives for universal recognition of its competence [18/10/2019]
Since its establishment by States, the International Humanitarian Fact Finding Commission (IHFFC) has engaged in continuous efforts in order to achieve universal recognition of its competence. Indeed, in order for the Commission to be able to effectively fulfill its mandate, it is desirable that it is recognized by as many States as possible. The efforts by the Commission in this regard are ongoing today, and will continue in the future.
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· 11 June 2019
Rethinking the Humanitarian Health Response to Violent Conflict - London Exploratory Meeting [11/06/2019]
The Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House, London 10 to 11 June 2019
The meeting was convened on behalf of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Centre on Global Health Security at Chatham House, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Dr Robin McNeill Love, Vice President of the IHFFC, attended the meeting to represent the IHFFC.
The purpose of the meeting was to define a work programme on Rethinking the Humanitarian Health Response to Violent Conflict and to consider how a project on this topic could make important, pragmatic contributions to the development of more effective humanitarian health responses in areas experiencing violent conflict. [...]
· 29 May 2019
Third International Conference on Safe Schools [29/05/2019]
Palma de Mallorca, 26-29 May 2019
Francisco Rey, Member of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission (IHFFC), participated in the Third International Conference on Safe Schools as a facilitator. In order to raise awareness of the potential of IHFFC, he took the opportunity to speak with representatives from States and international organizations about the role of the IHFFC in international humanitarian law.
The conference was initiated following the Safe Schools Declaration (2015), which is a political commitment to better protect students, teachers, schools, and universities during armed conflict.
· 04 April 2019
IHFFC Annual Meeting 2019 [04/04/2019]
The International Humanitarian Fact-finding Commission (IHFFC) held its Annual Meeting from 1 to 3 April 2019 in Geneva.
Building upon the momentum reached on the occasion of the successful Eastern Ukraine mission, the 15 Members discussed ways to further capitalise on this significant development.
The Commission is grateful for the support of a number of States expressing their willingness to establish a “Group of Friends” of the IHFFC at the United Nations in New York and is looking forward to playing its part in progressing this important outreach activity. This will be part of a greater initiative to increase the visibility of the Commission.
The Commission also adopted measures to encourage even more States to recognise the competence of the Commission according to Article 90 of Protocol Additional I of the Geneva Conventions.
In view of further enhancing its operational readiness, the Commission took decisions of principle and created a number of Working Groups in order to streamline and update internal guidelines and working methods.
The Members of the Commission used the opportunity of the Annual Meeting to hold a series of exchanges with relevant stakeholders, including Member States, the ICRC and academic institutions. In particular, the Commission invited representatives of other relevant bodies, including the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria and the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen, to share experiences and insights.
The Commission agreed upon its annual Programme of Work. In addition, it adopted the Financial Report for the year 2018 and the draft budget for the year 2020 which will be submitted to Member States according to the established Financial Procedures of the Commission.
The next Annual Meeting will be held in spring 2020 in Geneva.
· 29 January 2019
Seminar on International Humanitarian Law and the European Union [29/01/2019]
Linz, 29 January 2019
Réka Varga, Member of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission (IHFFC), gave a presentation during the seminar, “International Humanitarian Law and the European Union – Current Developments during the Austrian Presidency”. She was invited by the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In order to emphasize the IHFFC’s value as an entity to enhance respect of international humanitarian law, she highlighted the role of the IHFFC during her presentation. This generated significant interest among participants.
IHFFC has proposed its services [29/01/2019]
The International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission (IHFFC) has proposed its services to the governments of both the Russian Federation and the Ukraine through identical letters dated 4 December 2018. The IHFFC stands ready to assist both the Ukraine and the Russian Federation with regard to the situation relating to the incident, which occurred in the Kerch Strait on 25 November 2018.
· 07 December 2018
17th Session of the Assembly of the State Parties of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court [07/12/2018]
The Hague, 5-7 December 2018
Justinas Žilinskas, Member of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission (IHFFC), was invited to deliver a statement on behalf of the Commission during the General Debate. He highlighted the critical mission and work of the IHFFC and provided a brief report on the Commission’s latest mission in Ukraine.
· 16 November 2018
Annual Meeting 2019 [16/11/2018]
The International Humanitarian Fact-finding Commission (IHFFC) will hold its annual meeting from 1 to 3 April 2019 in Geneva.
· 12 October 2018
57th Annual Session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization [12/10/2018]
Tokyo, 9-12 October 2018
To underline the essential role of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission (IHFFC) as the only permanent treaty-based organ to enhance respect of international humanitarian law, Shuichi Furuya, Member of the IHFFC, attended the 57th Annual Session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organization. He gave a presentation on the IHFFC’s mission and work.
3003 Bern
The International Humanitarian Fact-finding Commission (IHFFC) held its Annual Meeting from 1 to 3 April 2019 in Geneva.