Dr Robin McNeill Love, Vice-President IHFFC, was honoured to be invited to attend a workshop at the International Peace Institute (IPI) in New York City on 28 June 2017. The workshop was chaired by Dr Els Debuf, IPI.

The workshop programme was based on the evaluation of mechanisms to investigate attacks on healthcare. This initiative is based on the UN Security Resolution SCR 2286 (2016), OP9, where the Security Council:

"[s]trongly urges States to conduct...independent, full, prompt, impartial and effective investigations of violations of international humanitarian law related to the protection of [medical care in armed conflict], and, where appropriate, take action against those responsible..., with a view to reinforcing preventive measures, ensuring accountability and addressing the grievances of victims.”

The workshop consisted of the following sessions:

• Session I: The role of fact finding and investigation in implementing Security Council Resolution 2286.
• Session II: Evaluating selected international investigative mechanisms.
• Session III: Moving forward - Lessons learned and best practices.

Over twenty delegates from key stakeholder organisations were brought together to consider how their respective organisations can contribute to the implementation of SCR 2286 (2016). Dr McNeill Love contributed from the IHFFC's perspective and reiterated the role that the IHFFC is keen to provide to this vital area of international humanitarian law.

On 16 January 2018, at the IPI in New York, Dr Debuf's IPI publication "Evaluating Mechanisms to Investigate Attacks on Healthcare” was launched. Dr McNeill Love, IHFFC, was privileged to be invited by Dr Debuf, IPI, to contribute to this important initiative.