MOSCOW. Oct 17 (Interfax) - Russia doubts the expediency of the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission, which was established within the framework of the Geneva Convention, due to its failure to fulfill its duties.
The relevant bill was submitted by Russian President Vladimir Putin and published in the legislative database of the State Duma on Thursday.
The bill revokes the statement made by the former Soviet Union, when it ratified the Additional Protocol of June 8, 1977, to the Geneva Convention of August 12, 1949, regarding protection of victims of international armed conflicts.
The International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission was established on the basis of Article 90 of Protocol 1 to investigate suspected major violations of humanitarian law during international armed conflicts.
"However, the commission has practically been failing to fulfill its duties since 1991," an explanatory note to the bill said. It was also noted that Russia does not have a representative in the commission but nevertheless continues to make annual contributions to its budget.
Taking this into account, further recognition of the commission seems not to be expedient, the document said.
"Moreover, the risk of political abuse of the commission's powers by dishonest states grows significantly under current international circumstances," it said.
Considering these aspects, the federal bill repeals the statement of recognition of the commission and declares null and void in the territory of Russia Clause 1 of USSR Supreme Council Resolution No. 330-1 dated August 4, 1989, which ratified the Additional Protocol to the Geneva Convention of August 12, 1949, regarding the protection of victims of international armed conflicts (Protocol I), and the Additional Protocol to the Geneva Convention of August 12, 1949, concerning the protection of victims of non-international armed conflicts (Protocol II) to the extent of the statement made by the Soviet Union during ratification of Protocol I.
Given that the statement of recognition was made in the form of a resolution of the USSR Supreme Council, it must be repealed by a federal law, the document said.