Positionspapier
2026
Crimes against humanity are among the four core crimes under international law, encompassing acts such as murder and torture when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack against a civilian population. Despite their gravity and prevalence, there is currently no binding international treaty dedicated to the prevention and punishment of such crimes. In an effort to address this gap, the International Law Commission proposed the Draft Articles on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity in 2019. Building on this work, the UN General Assembly decided in 2025 to initiate a process towards the adoption of a binding convention by 2029, based on the Draft Articles and States’ proposals for amendments. The prospective adoption of the convention is a welcome and long-overdue step, sending a strong signal against impunity. However, to fully capture the scope of the injustice involved and to ensure comprehensive protection against such crimes, States should consider several targeted amendments to the existing proposal, while preserving the important standards it already contains, as set out in the recommendations.
