In December 2024 the United Nations (UN) General Assembly adopted a resolution that mandates meetings in 2028 and 2029 with the intended outcome of an international convention to prevent and punish crimes against humanity. In collaboration with other organizations, ICUUW is working on strengthening gender justice in this new convention.
Why Does the World Need This Treaty?
Some of the most egregious international crimes are considered crimes against humanity.
Currently crimes against humanity are defined in numerous treaties, including the Rome Statue of the International and Criminal Court (ICC). These crimes are prohibited under customary international law. However, there is no specific stand-alone treaty which addresses nation states’ responsibilities to either prevent or punish these crimes. The ICC is only allowed to focus on individual criminal responsibility. It lacks the authority over state obligations and cannot prosecute all cases considered crimes against humanity.
Without a treaty, states cannot be held accountable by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for their failure to prevent or punish crimes against humanity that occurred in their borders.
The Crimes Against Humanity Treaty would include decades of progress in developing international law particularly in relation to the issues of gender justice. ICUUW joined 133 civil society organizations and signed a declaration sponsored by the Global Justice Center to make this process as gender-competent as possible.
Civil Society engagement led to the removal of a restrictive definition of gender from the treaty. The current Draft Articles are the result of six years of work. There has been extensive consultation from states, experts and civil society.
United Nations and the Process to the Treaty
In December 2024 the UN General Assembly took decisive steps toward establishing the world’s first dedicated treaty to preventing and punishing Crimes against Humanity.
The UN adopted a resolution establishing a path for negotiations with a final treaty expected by 2029. The treaty would require nation states to act against systemic attacks on civilians including murder, torture and sexual violence.
This resolution received strong support from Civil Society, the NGO community, Human Rights Organizations and Legal Experts.
In January 2026 the UN’s Preparatory Committee (PrepCom) met in New York for two weeks. The session was designed to discuss the current draft articles and to begin the amendment process.
Until April 30, 2026 member states can submit formal proposals for amendments.
In 2027 the Preparatory Committee will meet in New York to discuss rules of procedure and finalize the text for the treaty. Civil Society - including ICUUW - has been invited to participate in these important discussions.
In early 2028 there will be a meeting of member states to review and discuss all proposals and a session is planned in early 2029 to conclude with a legally binding treaty on prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity.
ICUUW involvement
Members with a UN grounds pass have been participating in meetings at the Global Justice Center. The Center is acting as a resource on the Crimes Against Humanity Treaty effort.