Actions taken:
The International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission (IHFFC) is a dedicated expert body established under Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions to respond to incidents in relation to IHL. The IHFFC is composed of 15 independent experts – one of whom, Dr Robin McNeill Love, was nominated by the United Kingdom but who acts in his personal capacity. These experts are elected by the States that have recognised the IHFFC’s competence under Article 90. Currently 76 States, including the UK, have made such a declaration. The UK has recognised the IHFFC’s competence since 1999 and has been an active supporter of its mission.
Th UK’s support extends through various channels, including participation in the IHFFC’s ‘Group of Friends’ (GoF) and outreach activities among UN bodies in New York via the UK’s mission to the UN. The UK has shown leadership within the GoF, serving as its inaugural Chair in 2019, with the first meeting at the UK Permanent Mission to the UN in New York.
In May 2024, the UK demonstrated its commitment to the IHFFC by hosting a reception on behalf of the IHFFC in Geneva. This event, held in collaboration with the Canadian, Costa Rican, and Chilean Permanent Missions, was aimed at raising awareness and fostering greater understanding of the IHFFC’s work. The reception was opened by Simon Manley, the UK Ambassador to the UN and WTO in Geneva, reflecting the UK’s ongoing commitment to supporting international humanitarian law and the IHFFC’s objectives. The UK’s continuous engagement with the IHFFC, through both diplomatic and operational support, underscores its commitment to the principles of international humanitarian law and the protection of victims in armed conflicts.
