History of the Draft Articles
2008
Civil society identifies a gap in the existing international legal framework.
2014 – 2019
The International Law Commission (“ILC”) includes crimes against humanity in its programme of work.
2019
The ILC adopts the Draft Articles on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity, recommending an elaboration of a convention by the UN General Assembly or by an international conference of plenipotentiaries.
2019 – 2022
The Sixth Committee (“6C”) considers the ILC’s recommendation.
2022
The 6C adopts resolution 77/249 to resume the 6C session in April 2023 and April 2024 to exchange substantive views on all aspects of the draft articles and to consider the ILC’s recommendation.
2024
The 6C adopts resolution advancing the draft articles to negotiations. Preparatory sessions will be held in 2026 and 2027 before a treaty is finalized during three-week negotiations in 2028 and 2029.
Legal Briefs & Recommendations
Gender Justice
- Just Security | Progress on Gender Justice Continues as States Consider Next Steps on Draft Crimes Against Humanity Treaty (11/18/2024)
- Just Security | On the Significance and Potential of a Non-Definition: The “Gender” Debate in the Draft Crimes Against Humanity Treaty (10/2/2024)
- Just Security | Support Grows for Gender Justice at UN Session on Draft Crimes Against Humanity Treaty (5/23/2024)
- Just Security | Signals of Support for Gender Justice in the Draft Treaty on Crimes Against Humanity (1/19/2024)
- Just Security | Draft Crimes Against Humanity Treaty: Toward a Gender Progressive, Survivor-Centric, Intersectional Approach (11/13/2023)
- Coalition Letter | Joint Call to Advance Gender Justice in the Draft Crimes Against Humanity Convention (10/5/2023)
- Global Justice Center | Advancing Gender Justice in the Draft International Crimes Against Humanity Treaty (8/23/2023)
- Just Security | Progress, Resistance, and Silence on Gender Justice in the Draft Crimes Against Humanity Treaty (6/6/2023)
Gender Apartheid
- Just Security | More States Open to Considering Gender Apartheid for Draft Crimes Against Humanity Treaty (5/24/2024)
- Just Security | Why the Crimes Against Humanity Treaty Should Codify Gender Apartheid (10/5/2023)
- Legal Brief | Joint Call to Amend the Draft Crimes Against Humanity Convention to Encompass Gender Apartheid (10/5/2023)
Reproductive Violence
- Just Security | Strengthening Reproductive Autonomy in the Draft Crimes Against Humanity Treaty (11/22/2023)
- Brief | Draft Articles on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity Should Advance Justice for Reproductive Autonomy (10/5/2023)
Slave Trade
- Just Security | Time to Enumerate the Slave Trade as a Distinct Provision in the Crimes Against Humanity Treaty (11/15/2023)
- Brief | Including the Slave Trade in the Draft Articles on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity (10/5/2023)
Forced Marriage
- Brief | The Draft Crimes Against Humanity Convention and Forced Marriage (10/5/2023)
Victims & Survivors
- Brief | Draft Crimes Against Humanity Convention Must Center Victims and Survivors (11/21/2023)
Persons With Disabilities
- Just Security | The U.N. Process for a Crimes Against Humanity Treaty Has Finally Started. Will It Account for Persons with Disabilities? (5/26/2023)
Environmental Destruction
- IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law | Proposed addition to Article 2 of the Draft articles on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity (3/30/2024)
General Recommendations
- Amnesty International | General Recommendations to States for a Convention on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity (3/3/2023)
- Global Justice Center & Washington University School of Law | Options to Advance the ILC Draft Articles on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity (6/29/2022)
UN Recordings & Summaries
November 2024 Session of the Sixth Committee
- 38th meeting (November 22, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm)
- 39th meeting (November 22, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm)
October 2024 Session of the Sixth Committee
- 8th meeting (October 9, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm)
- 9th meeting (October 10, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm)
- 10th meeting (October 10, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm)
- 11th meeting (October 14, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm)
April 2024 Session of the Sixth Committee
- 38th meeting (April 1, 10:00am – 1:00pm)
- 39th meeting (April 1, 3:00pm – 6:00pm)
- 40th meeting (April 2, 10:00am – 1:00pm)
- 41st meeting (April 2, 3:00pm – 6:00pm)
- 42nd meeting (April 3, 10:00am – 1:00pm)
- 43rd meeting (April 3, 3:00pm – 6:00pm)
- 44th meeting (April 4, 10:00am – 1:00pm)
- 45th meeting (April 4, 3:00pm – 6:00pm)
- 46th meeting (April 5, 3:30pm – 6:00pm)
- 47th meeting (April 11, 10:00am – 1:00pm)
October 2023 Session of the Sixth Committee
- 9th meeting (October 11, 10:00am – 1:00pm) | Summary
- 10th meeting (October 12, 10:00am – 1:00pm) | Summary
- 11th meeting (October 12, 3:00pm – 6:00pm) | Summary
April 2023 Session of the Sixth Committee
- 37th meeting (April 10, 10:00am – 1:00pm) | Summary
- 38th meeting (April 10, 3:00pm – 6:00pm) | Summary
- 39th meeting (April 11, 10:00am – 1:00pm) | Summary
- 40th meeting (April 11, 3:00pm – 6:00pm) | Summary
- 41st meeting (April 12, 10:00am – 1:00pm) | Summary
- 42nd meeting (April 12, 3:00pm – 6:00pm) | Summary
- 43rd meeting (April 13, 10:00am – 1:00pm) | Summary
- 44th meeting (April 13, 3:00pm – 6:00pm) | Summary
- 45th meeting (April 14, 3:00pm – 6:00pm) | Summary
October-November 2022 Sessions of the Sixth Committee
- 9th meeting (October 10, 10:00am – 1:00pm) | Summary
- 10th meeting (October 10, 3:00pm – 6:00pm) | Summary
- 11th meeting (October 11, 10:00am – 1:00pm) | Summary
- 36th meeting (November 18, 10:00am – 1:00pm) | Summary