UNITED NATIONS — A significant resolution was approved late Friday by a vital committee of the U.N. General Assembly, setting the stage for discussions on a groundbreaking treaty aimed at preventing and punishing crimes against humanity. This development followed Russia’s decision to withdraw amendments that could have jeopardized the initiative.
The resolution received unanimous support from the legal committee of the assembly, which comprises all 193 U.N. member states, after protracted negotiations throughout the day between proponents of the resolution and Russian representatives. When the committee chairman announced the approval of the resolution, it was met with rousing applause. It is highly anticipated that the General Assembly will formally endorse the measure in a final vote scheduled for December 4.
“This agreement to initiate negotiations on an essential international treaty marks a historic milestone that has been long awaited,” stated Richard Dicker, senior legal advisor for advocacy at Human Rights Watch. He emphasized that this step serves as a vital message against impunity for atrocities committed against civilians in numerous global contexts, including regions like Ethiopia, Sudan, Ukraine, southern Israel, Gaza, and Myanmar.
The resolution outlines a planned process for finalizing the treaty, with preparatory meetings slated for 2026 and 2027, followed by a series of three-week negotiation sessions in 2028 and 2029.
Dicker noted that the amendments proposed by Russia raised concerns over the potential completion of the treaty negotiations. Russia’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Maria Zabolotskaya, mentioned that the country retracted its amendments “in a spirit of compromise,” but simultaneously asserted that Russia is “dissociating itself from consensus.” She reassured the committee of Russia’s willingness to collaborate on this important convention.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) was set up to hold accountable those responsible for significant violations such as war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity, currently supported by 124 member nations. The ICC defines crimes against humanity as actions conducted systematically against civilians, identifying 15 distinct forms of such offenses, including murder, rape, torture, and enforced disappearances. However, it lacks authority over roughly 70 other countries.
While global treaties exist addressing war crimes, genocide, and torture, a specific treaty for addressing crimes against humanity has been absent. Advocated primarily by Mexico and Gambia, and supported by 96 other nations, the newly adopted treaty aims to address this gap in international law.
Kelly Adams, a legal advisor from the Global Justice Center, hailed the resolution as “a historic breakthrough” following prolonged delays. She pointed out the increasing prevalence of crimes against humanity around the globe and expressed optimism that the treaty will be “robust, progressive and centered on survivors.”
Agnes Callamard, Secretary General of Amnesty International, voiced some disappointment regarding the extended timeline reaching 2029 but emphasized the importance of achieving a viable convention through this process. She remarked on the significance of the resolution at a time when many nations seem poised to undermine international law and universal standards, indicating a readiness among states to strengthen the framework for international justice and hold accountable those who evade investigation for their heinous acts.
Following the resolution’s passage, Amadou Jaiteh, Gambia’s Counselor who proposed the initiative earlier, expressed that the approval represents “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to foster a world devoid of crimes against humanity where the voices of victims resonate more powerfully than those of their aggressors.
