Russia has decided to withdraw from an international agreement that recognizes the competence of a commission of inquiry into alleged violations of humanitarian law in armed conflicts. The draft law was submitted to the State Duma by Russian President Vladimir Putin. It concerns the recognition of one of the Additional Protocols to the Fourth Geneva Convention of 1949, which aims to protect civilians in armed conflicts.
The draft law says that Russia withdraws the statement made by the USSR in 1989:

“The USSR recognizes the ipso facto authority of the International Fact-Finding Commission without special agreement with respect to any other High Contracting Party accepting the same obligation”.

If the draft law were to be adopted, the Commission would only be able to initiate an investigation into Russia if Russia consented to such an investigation:

“The Commission will only order an investigation upon request of one of the parties to the conflict with the consent of the other party or parties concerned (WHRI, Art. 90.2.d).

The draft law notes that “in the current international environment, the risks of abuse of the commission’s powers for political purposes by unscrupulous states are significantly increased”. The explanatory note does not describe the risks and “dishonest states” in question.

Source: State Duma, Znak.com