The statement by the International Commission of Jurists in collaboration with End Gender Apartheid, Asia Justice Coalition, Amnesty International, Gender Dynamix, Lawyers for Human Rights and Centre for Strategic litigation, refers to a historic decision by the UN General Assembly in late 2024, to begin negotiations towards a draft international Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity. This process is set to commence in January 2026 and is expected to conclude in 2029.
- The goal of the draft convention is to:
- Codify the global obligation to prevent and punish crimes against humanity.
- Strengthen domestic accountability systems.
- Enhance cross-border cooperation in criminal justice.
- Improve access to justice and reparations for victims and survivors.
The text emphasizes the important role African States can play in shaping this convention and outlines three keyways they can lead:
- Inclusive participation: Ensure meaningful involvement of diverse civil society groups and survivors, including NGOs without ECOSOC status, with attention to gender balance and representation.
- Substantive input: Critically review and strengthen the draft text to include trauma-informed, gender-sensitive and intersectional approaches to justice, and support provisions like the inclusion of the slave trade.
- Regional dialogue: Organize regional discussions in 2025 – 2026 to develop collective African proposals and ensure regional perspectives are reflected in the UN negotiations.
This statement calls for African leadership and inclusive justice-centred engagement in developing a landmark global treaty to prevent and punish crimes against humanity.
Click the link below to access the full statement:
ACHPR85th Ordinary Session Human Rights Situation in Africa