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.
