In a historic moment, the Sixth (Legal) Committee of the U.N. General Assembly has decided to elaborate a Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity. States adopted a revised version of Draft Resolution A/C.6/79/L.2/Rev.1, titled “United Nations Conference of Plenipotentiaries on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity,” with consensus. The Resolution […]
Category: Crimes Against Humanity News
Crimes Against Humanity
Human Rights Watch Calls on the UN to Take Next Steps on a Crimes Against Humanity Treaty
On Friday, November 22, the United Nations Sixth (Legal) Committee will decide whether they will move forward with a Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity. The Convention currently enjoys broad support from a cross-regional group of States, however, some opposition remains. Human Rights Watch accordingly issued a statement calling on States […]
Now Available: Professor Leila Sadat’s Remarks on Environmental Crimes at UN High-Level Week
Professor Leila Sadat, James Carr Professor of International Criminal Law at Washington University School of Law and Director of the Crimes Against Humanity Initiative, recently spoke during High-Level Week at the United Nations. The event focused on “Accountability for Environmental Violations and Crimes: Advancing a More Global and Inclusive Approach to International Environmental Law.” In […]
Yale Lowenstein Project and Washington University Law Students Complete Analysis of April 2024 Resumed Session
In April 2024, the U.N. General Assembly’s Sixth (Legal) Committee held its second resumed session discussing the ILC’s Draft Articles on the Punishment and Prevention of Crimes Against Humanity. Under the direction of Professor Leila Sadat, students in the Lowenstein Human Rights Project at Yale Law School and the Crimes Against Humanity Initiative at Washington […]
Civil Society Urges States to Move the Draft Crimes Against Humanity Treaty into Negotiations
The U.N. General Assembly’s Sixth (Legal) Committee will decide whether they will move forward with a Convention on the Punishment and Prevention of Crimes Against Humanity in Fall 2024. Ahead of their decision, civil society is rallying together and calling upon States to advance negotiations. More than 582 civil society groups and individuals signed a […]
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Welcomes a Convention on Crimes Against Humanity
Volker Türk, The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, delivered a Global Update to the Human Rights Council on September 9, 2024. Notably, he urged States to advance negotiations on the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity. The High Commissioner’s Global Update was a reflection on the state of human […]
Students Represent WashU Law at the 16th Annual International Humanitarian Law Roundtable
Victor Allison, Mina Nur Basmaci, Nareh Derhartounian, and Zej Moczydlowski recently represented WashU Law at the 16th annual International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Roundtable in New York. The IHL Roundtable is a working retreat for international prosecutors, scholars of international criminal law, and students. This year, the Roundtable included the current or former chief prosecutors at […]
The New York Times Discusses Crimes Against Humanity
The New York Times recently published an article, “The Bitter Fight Over the Meaning of ‘Genocide,’” highlighting the importance of a treaty on crimes against humanity. The article traces the legal history and application of the crime of genocide. Importantly, it discusses shortcomings within the legal framework that have compelled calls for a robust treaty […]
A Draft Treaty on Crimes Against Humanity Draws More Engagement from States
In April 2024, the U.N. General Assembly’s Sixth (Legal) Committee held its second session discussing the International Law Commission’s 2019 Draft Articles on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity. As Professor Leila Sadat recently noted in an essay published in Just Security, the second session saw increased support and engagement by States. In 2022, […]
American Society of International Law Convenes Panel to Discuss the Draft Articles on Crimes Against Humanity
In April 2024, the American Society of International Law held its 118th Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. Leading scholars and advocates in international criminal law, including WashU Law’s Professor Leila Sadat, convened a panel to discuss the emerging convention on crimes against humanity. The International Law Commission adopted the Draft Articles on Prevention and Punishment […]