Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs vistits Geneva to promote Polish candidate to the International Humanitarian Fact Finding Commission
28.10.2026
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs visits Geneva to promote Polish candidate to the International Humanitarian Fact Finding Commission
On 28 October 2026, the Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Artur Harazim, visited Geneva to present the candidacy of Dr Elżbieta Mikos-Skuza in the forthcoming elections to the International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission.
During a meeting with invited representatives of the diplomatic corps at the Polish Permanent Mission, Minister Harazim emphasised that the candidate’s experience guarantees the Commission’s efficient operation. He also appealed for support for her candidacy in the elections set for 20 November 2026 in Bern. During the event, Dr Elżbieta Mikos-Skuza outlined the history of the Commission, its field of competence and presented her policy statement.
As part of his visit to Geneva, the Deputy Head of Diplomacy also held consultations with Ms Awa Dabo, the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Mr Pierre Krahenbuehl, the Director-General of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The International Humanitarian Fact-Finding Commission (IHFFC) is a permanent body comprising 15 independent experts. It is authorised to investigate any incident occurring during an armed conflict that may constitute a breach of the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol I, upon consent of the parties. The Commission can also facilitate a return to compliance with these provisions by offering its good offices. Established in 1991 pursuant to Article 90 of Additional Protocol I to the 1977 Geneva Conventions, the IHFFC's competence is currently recognised by 78 states.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is an independent, neutral organisation that provides protection and humanitarian aid to victims of war and other armed conflicts. Founded in 1863, the organisation is headquartered in Geneva.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights was established in December 1993 by UN General Assembly Resolution No. 48/141 with the aim of improving the coordination of UN activities in the field of human rights. In accordance with his mandate, he heads the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which is based in Geneva.
