International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission
The International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission is a permanent body available to the international community to investigate alleged violations of international humanitarian law. The Commission is composed of fifteen experts and is based in Bern. As the Depositary State of the Geneva Conventions, Switzerland provides the Secretariat of the Commission.
Election of the 15 members of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission (IHFFC)
Switzerland, as the Depositary State of the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, will organize the election of the 15 members of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission (IHFFC) on 20 November 2026 in Bern.
Switzerland, in its capacity as the Depositary, invites the 78 States Parties to the 1977 Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions that have accepted the competence of the IHFFC to participate in the election of the 15 members of the Commission.
States are invited to submit to the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, by 12 June 2026, the nomination of their candidate, together with a curriculum vitae in English and French.
Mandate of the Commission
When parties to a conflict are alleged to have violated international humanitarian law, the main task of the experts is to investigate these allegations. They may also offer good offices to promote compliance with international humanitarian law.
Unlike a court, the Commission confines itself to establishing the facts and does not render judgments. It communicates its findings confidentially to the parties concerned and makes recommendations to improve respect for and application of international humanitarian law.
The Commission may exercise its functions in both international and non-international armed conflicts.
Investigations only with the consent of the parties to the conflict
The Commission can carry out investigations only with the consent of the parties concerned. Recognition of the Commission’s competence is made by means of a declaration, which may be either permanent ad hoc.
Through a permanent recognition, a State authorises the Commission to conduct investigations, upon request, in any conflict involving another State that has made the same declaration. A party to a conflict that has not recognised the Commission’s competence may do so ad hoc for a specific armed conflict in which it is involved, provided the other party (or parties) also consents.
Any declaration recognising the Commission’s competence must be deposited with the Swiss Federal Council, the Depositary of the Geneva Conventions (FDFA, Directorate of International Law, Treaties Section, CH-3003 Bern, dv.staatsvertraege@eda.admin.ch, tel. +41 58 484 50 66).
The Commission may also act, within the framework of its good offices, at the request of a party affected by a particular incident.
Establishment and composition of the Fact-Finding Commission
The establishment of the Fact-Finding Commission is based on Article 90 of the First Additional Protocol to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, adopted by the international community in Geneva in 1977. The Commission was officially established in 1991, after its competence had been recognised by 20 States.
To date, 78 States from five continents have deposited a declaration of recognition, including Switzerland. The Commission has observer status with the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council, and enjoys the support of other international institutions such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, the International Criminal Court, the Council of Europe and the European Union.