Human Rights Watch calls for dedicated treaty on crimes against humanity
Human Rights Watch officials say recent discussions in the UN General Assembly’s Sixth Committee highlighted the urgent need for a dedicated treaty to address crimes against humanity.
They expressly referred to Afghanistan, stating that such a treaty is essential for holding perpetrators accountable.
They called for support of a draft resolution currently under consideration by the Sixth Committee for adoption.
Richard Dicker, the founder of Human Rights Watch, and John Fisher, the deputy director of advocacy, referenced a statement by Sierra Leone’s representative in the Sixth Committee, speaking on behalf of 75 countries.
The Sierra Leone statement emphasized: “The time for action is now, and we must work together to end and prevent heinous acts of crimes against humanity.”
They added that discussions held on October 9th and 10th in this committee underscored the growing need for a new treaty to prevent and punish crimes against humanity.
They noted that while gross crimes against humanity are on the rise amid escalating conflicts and crises worldwide, no dedicated treaty exists to address these crimes.
The report shows support for Sierra Leone’s statement has grown from 70 countries to 86.
The report’s authors mentioned that representatives from several countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Bangladesh, Palestine, South Africa, Armenia, Colombia, and Myanmar, stressed the need for such a treaty.
Human Rights Watch officials urged countries to back the draft treaty, warning that some nations may hinder the consensus needed for its adoption.
The report stated, “As the UN’s Sixth Committee reviews the draft resolution for approval, the organization’s members must stand alongside the victims of the world’s most serious human rights violations.”
Human Rights Watch emphasized the necessity of adopting a dedicated treaty to address crimes against humanity, particularly pointing out that in countries like Afghanistan, where the Taliban have committed severe human rights violations, Afghan women and girls have been deprived of their basic rights.
The growing global support for a dedicated treaty to address crimes against humanity underscores the international community’s commitment to ending these atrocities. However, the opposition of a few countries presents a challenge that must be addressed to ensure timely progress on the treaty.
As crimes against humanity continue to rise globally, the need for a binding international treaty becomes ever more urgent. The world must act decisively to prevent further violations and to ensure justice for the victims of these heinous acts.
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