Press releases Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
GENEVA – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk today welcomed ongoing preparatory talks toward an international treaty on crimes against humanity.
“The start of deliberations on a convention on crimes against humanity is a milestone moment for States to strengthen international law’s protection of people from atrocities, and their ability to work together to combat impunity,” said Türk. “This is a once in a generation opportunity to advance prevention and accountability for crimes against humanity. I therefore encourage States to be ambitious.”
Representatives of States, international organizations and civil society organizations have been meeting in New York since 19 January to prepare for the start of formal negotiations on the long-awaited Convention. The Preparatory Committee has been discussing, among other matters, a definition of crimes against humanity, the general obligations of States to prevent and punish such crimes, the rights of victims, and national and international measures that should be available to States to prevent and punish.
“The process is long and many hurdles will have to be cleared. However, I am encouraged that the preparatory talks have got off to a good start, with a high level of engagement by States, as well as by civil society actors,” said Türk.
The UN Human Rights Chief called on States to be ambitious, urging them to reflect international law as it is evolving and to ensure that the definition also addresses contemporary challenges and forms of harm.
He recalled his earlier support for the codification of the crime of gender apartheid and encouraged States to give this and other proposed additions to the definition serious consideration in the negotiations. “The delegates should make a future-proof Convention, one that addresses deep historical injustices that continue to affect our world today, but also one that takes into account contemporary forms of grave attack on our common humanity and looks to protecting a future of dignity and justice for our children and grandchildren.”
The High Commissioner also underscored the paramount importance of an inclusive process. “All efforts must be undertaken to ensure diverse civil society groups and all other relevant voices are at the table throughout the process. A process that is open to all stakeholders and relevant expertise is an absolute must,” said Türk.
“Victims and survivors must be at the centre of the process and the Convention if it is to truly fulfill its promise to them,” he said, urging the Preparatory Committee to allow their participation in the next phases of the process.
Türk urged delegates to reflect on how the treaty can provide for the best possible operationalization of the Convention, for example through a treaty body. “The convention must not remain words on paper; it must incentivize and capacitate States to turn the norms into reality for their populations,” he said. He pledged his support for the process and his Office’s availability to engage with States and others and share expertise.
Crimes against humanity generally refer to specific crimes when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population, including murder, extermination, torture and other mistreatment, including forms of sexual violence. Unlike war crimes that occur only during situations of armed conflict, crimes against humanity can occur both in war and in peacetime. Additionally, unlike war crimes and the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity and associated State obligations to repress and prevent them are so far not yet codified in a standalone international treaty.
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