Election of International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission members
Bern, 09.12.2016 - Switzerland chaired the 6th diplomatic meeting of states accepting the competence of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission (IHFFC) yesterday. As the depositary state of the Geneva Conventions, it had invited the 76 states in question to Bern. The 68 states attended elected the institution’s 15 members for a five-year term, including one from Switzerland, Ms Laurence Boillat, currently a prosecutor in the canton of Vaud.
The newly-formed commission will take up office in February 2017, following its annual meeting. Each member serves in a personal capacity and in accordance with the principle of impartiality.
Established by Article 90 of the first Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions, the IHFFC is a permanent body available to the international community. Its objective is to ensure that international humanitarian law is implemented and respected. Its 15 member experts, elected every five years, are ready to inquire into alleged war crimes or other violations of international humanitarian law, at the request of a state party to an armed conflict. The IHFFC is also authorised to facilitate, through its good offices, the restoration of respect for the law. Lastly, the IHFFC participates in activities designed to promote and disseminate international humanitarian law.
The secretariat of the IHFFC is provided by the Directorate of International Law (DIL), part of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).
Address for enquiries
FDFA Communication
Federal Palace West Wing
CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland
Tel. Press service: +41 58 460 55 55
E-mail: kommunikation@eda.admin.ch
Twitter: @SwissMFA
Publisher
Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html
