The International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission (IHFFC) has been contacted by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF, Doctors Without Borders) in relation to the events in Kunduz, Afghanistan, on 3 October 2015.
The IHFFC stands ready to undertake an investigation but can only do so based on the consent of the concerned State or States. The IHFFC has taken appropriate steps and is in contact with MSF. It cannot give any further information at this stage.
The IHFFC was created pursuant to Article 90 of Additional Protocol I to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, agreed by the international community in Geneva in 1977. When parties to a conflict are accused of violations of international humanitarian law, the Commission’s experts investigate the allegations. They offer their good services to further compliance with international humanitarian law. Unlike a court, the Commission restricts itself to establishing the facts: it does not deliver a verdict.
The Commission informs the relevant parties of the results of its investigation and makes recommendations for improving compliance with international humanitarian law and its application. The Bureau of the Commission consists of the President of the IHFFC, Gisela Perren-Klingler (Switzerland), First Vice-President Thilo Marauhn (Germany), Vice-President Mohamed Mahmoud Al Kamali (United Arab Emirates), Vice-President Jeannette Irigoin Barenne (Chile) and Vice-President Shuichi Furuya (Japan).
