HL Deb 18 May 1999 vol 601 c19WA
Lord Rea

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they expect to be able to recognise the competence of the International Fact-Finding Commission enshrined in Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions. [HL2523]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

We are pleased to inform the House that a declaration confirming the United Kingdom's recognition of the competence of that body was yesterday being deposited with the Swiss authorities in Berne. This further demonstrates our commitment to international humanitarian law, following our ratification of the Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions in January 1998, our ratification of the Ottawa Convention in July 1998 and our acceptance of Amended Protocol II and Additional Protocol IV to the UN Weaponry Convention earlier this year.