A key UN committee adopts a resolution that paves the way for the first-ever treaty on crimes against humanity

UNITED NATIONS (AP) – A key UN General Assembly committee adopted a resolution late Friday that paves the way for negotiations on the first-ever treaty to prevent and punish crimes against humanity after Russia withdrew amendments that would have derailed the effort.

The decision was unanimously adopted by the assembly’s legal committee, which includes all 193 member nations of the UN, after intense last-minute negotiations between its supporters and Russia that lasted throughout the day.

There was applause when the chairman of the committee gave approval for the decision. It will almost certainly be approved if the General Assembly puts it to a final vote on December 4.

“Today’s agreement to begin negotiations on a much-needed international treaty is a historic achievement that has been a long time coming,” Richard Dicker, senior legal counsel for Human Rights Watch, told the Associated Press.

“It sends an important message that impunity for the kinds of crimes committed against the people of Ethiopia, Sudan, Ukraine, southern Israel, Gaza and Myanmar cannot be ignored,” he said.

The resolution calls for a time-bound process with preparatory periods in 2026 and 2027, and three-week negotiation periods in 2028 and 2029 to finalize a treaty on crimes against humanity.

Dicker said Russia’s proposed amendments leave open the question of whether the treaty negotiations would have been completed.

Russia’s deputy UN ambassador Maria Zabolotskaya said Russia withdrew the amendments “in the spirit of compromise.” But he said Russia is “disassociating itself from consensus.”

“This does not mean that we are not ready to work on this important meeting,” Zabolotskaya told the committee.

The International Criminal Court was established to punish the main perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide and has 124 member states. The ICC states that crimes against humanity are committed as part of mass attacks on civilians and lists 15 forms including murder, rape, imprisonment, enforced disappearance, sexual slavery, torture and deportation.

But the ICC has no jurisdiction over nearly 70 other countries.

There are international conventions covering war crimes, genocide and torture – but there has been no treaty specifically dealing with crimes against humanity. And according to the sponsors of the resolution, led by Mexico and Gambia and supported by 96 other countries, the new agreement will close the gap.

Kelly Adams, a legal adviser at the Global Justice Center, also called the decision a “landmark” after many delays.

Referring to the “increasing number of crimes against humanity around the world,” he expressed hope that the agreement would be “strong, progressive and focused on survivors.”

Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard expressed disappointment that the timeline has been extended to 2029, but said, “What is important is that this plan will deliver an effective meeting.”

“It is long overdue and we welcome the time when many states intend to violate international law and international standards,” he said. “It is a clear sign that governments are ready to strengthen the international justice system and hold a safe place for investigating and prosecuting the perpetrators of these heinous crimes.”

After the adoption of the resolution, Gambia’s Counsel, Amadou Jaiteh, who had presented it hours before, called its ratification “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make a difference,” to trust a country free of crimes against humanity, “and the world.” where the voices of the victims are heard louder than the perpetrators.”