Joint Statement in Support of Progress toward a Crimes Against Humanity Treaty – World

Support for a Global Convention on Crimes Against Humanity

The undersigned organizations and individuals — with representation from multiple geographic regions — express our support for a global convention on crimes against humanity, and urge states to utilize the 2024 April Resumed Session of the UN’s Sixth Committee to express strong support for a procedure to be adopted at the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly to move the Draft Articles on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity forward to negotiations for a treaty.

Introduction

Throughout history, millions of people have been subjected to murder, extermination, enslavement, deportation, persecution, and other atrocities that have shocked the conscience of humanity. Crimes against humanity continue unabated across the globe and the Draft Articles provide a timely and urgent opportunity for states to help end impunity.

The Need for a Treaty on Crimes Against Humanity

Although crimes against humanity are among the most serious crimes in international law, there has yet to be a treaty regulating their prevention and punishment. A treaty on crimes against humanity would close a crucial gap in the current international framework on mass atrocities as well as clarifying states’ duties to prevent such crimes and means to cooperate with each other. A crimes against humanity treaty can also rightfully contribute to global affirmation of the gravity of these crimes.

Progress Towards a Treaty

In 2013, the UN’s International Law Commission approved crimes against humanity to be included in its programme of work. The Commission, in 2019, recommended the elaboration of a convention by the UN General Assembly or by an international conference.

In 2022, the UN’s Sixth Committee adopted resolution 77/249 to take forward steps for a treaty on crimes against humanity, including two interactive sessions in 2023 and 2024 on the Draft Articles, and a plan to take a decision on the ILC’s recommendation that a treaty go forward in the 79th session of the General Assembly.

The International Law Commission’s Draft Articles

We believe the International Law Commission’s Draft Articles represent a strong starting point to open negotiations on a treaty. There is broad agreement that the Draft Articles contain a number of positive elements, and differences in perspectives on the existing Draft Articles should not be used to perpetuate inaction. Accordingly, we urge states to follow the Commission’s recommendation that a treaty on crimes against humanity should be negotiated, either by the General Assembly itself or in a Diplomatic Conference convened for that purpose.

Areas for Further Strengthening the Draft Articles

Our organizations also urge states at the April resumed session to identify important areas for further strengthening the Draft Articles. A variety of civil society groups have developed proposals toward this end. These include strengthening the proposed treaty by a variety of means.

An Inclusive Approach

We urge states at the April resumed session also to express overall support for an approach to the development of a crimes against humanity treaty that is gender-competent, survivor-centric, and deploys an intersectional lens. This includes ensuring the inclusion of a non-discrimination provision to apply and interpret the treaty’s provisions consistent with international human rights law.

We believe it is equally essential that the treaty-making process itself is inclusive. States should facilitate meaningful, inclusive, and safe public and civil society participation from across all regions, in all stages of the treaty-development process, including by people of all gender identities, as well as victims, survivors, and affected communities, and ensure that their voices are adequately represented in the final provisions of the treaty.

Signatory Organizations:

1. Abogados Sin Fronteras Canadá
2. Action des Chretiens pour l’Abolition de la Torture au Burundi
3. Action for Change
4. Action Network for Gender Equity & Law
5. Adovicuganda International
6. Africa Center for International Law and Accountability (Ghana)
7. Africa Legal Aid
8. African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies
9. African Platform for Human Rights and Governance
10. AfricanDefenders
11. Al Mezan Center for Human Rights (Palestine)
12. Alerte Congolaise pour l’environnement et les droits de l’homme
13. All Survivors Group
14. ALTSEAN – Burma
15. Amnesty International
16. Anti-Domestic Violence Center (Uganda)
17. Aotearoa Lawyers for Peace (New Zealand)
18. ASD-INKING (Uganda)
19. Ashta Development Organization
20. Asia Justice Coalition
21. Asociación Española para el Derecho Internacional de los Derechos Humanos
22. l’Association des victimes, parents et Amis du 28 septembre 2009 (Guinea)
23. Association of World Citizens (France)
24. Association pour le Développement des Initiatives Paysannes (DRC)
25. Athena Tech & Atrocities Advisory
26. Australian Centre for International Justice
27. Avaaz
28. Basel Peace Office (Switzerland)
29. Burma Human Rights Network
30. Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies
31. Canadian Centre for Victims of Torture
32. Center for Accountability and Rule of Law – Sierra Leone
33. Center Against Human Trafficking and Sexual Violence in Conflict
34. Center for Human Rights Advocacy
35. The Center for International and Comparative Law at the University of Baltimore School of Law
36. Center for Justice and Accountability
37. Center for Peace Building and Democracy in Liberia
38. Centre for Democracy and Human Rights
39. Centre international de Droit Comparé de l’Environnement (France)
40. Centre Libanais des Droits Humains
41. Centre de Recherche sur l’environnement, la démocratie et les droits de l’homme (DRC)
42. El Centro de Estudios Legales y Sociales (Argentina)
43. Centro por la Justicia
    

    SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

    1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

    • SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

    The article discusses the need for a global convention on crimes against humanity and emphasizes the importance of preventing and punishing such crimes. This aligns with SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

    2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

    • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
    • Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets, and combat all forms of organized crime.

    The article emphasizes the need for a treaty on crimes against humanity to regulate their prevention and punishment, which aligns with Target 16.3. Additionally, the article highlights the importance of ending impunity for crimes against humanity, which relates to Target 16.4.

    3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

    • Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms.
    • Indicator 16.4.1: Total value of inward and outward illicit financial flows (in current United States dollars).

    The article does not explicitly mention any indicators, but the mentioned targets can be measured using the indicators provided by the United Nations. Indicator 16.3.1 measures the proportion of victims of violence who report their victimization, which is relevant to ensuring equal access to justice. Indicator 16.4.1 measures the total value of illicit financial flows, which is relevant to combating organized crime.

    Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

    SDGs	Targets	Indicators
    SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions	Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.	Indicator 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms.
    SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions	Target 16.4: By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets, and combat all forms of organized crime.	Indicator 16.4.1: Total value of inward and outward illicit financial flows (in current United States dollars).

    Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

    Source: reliefweb.int

     

    

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