New York, 11 April 2023 (TDI): The United Nations General Assembly resumed UNGA Sixth Committee Resumed Session on Crimes Against Humanity, 77th Session from 10-14 April 2023. The committee will exchange views on the draft articles on preventing and punishing crimes against humanity.
Ambassador Martin Bille Hermann, Permanent Mission of Denmark to the UN delivered a joint Nordic countries statement at UNGA on crimes against humanity.
This week the 🇺🇳6th committee will exchange views on the draft articles on prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity.
— Denmark in UN NY🇩🇰 (@Denmark_UN) April 10, 2023
We support the important work towards ensuring accountability for these horrendous crimes. Read our 🇮🇸🇸🇪🇫🇮🇳🇴🇩🇰statement here: https://t.co/JwVv3FJ5St pic.twitter.com/JrZgN4V903
The statement was made on behalf of five Nordic countries namely Iceland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
The Ambassador expressed his gratitude to the members of the Bureau, the Secretariat, and all delegates for participating in this initial exchange of substantive views on all aspects of the draft articles on crimes against humanity by the International Law Commission.
The statement stated that Nordic countries welcome the decisions of the resumed session. The countries have always been advocates of the abolishment of crimes against humanity.
The crime against humanity among others is the most serious international crime. It lacks a dedicated convention to abate it. Despite being prohibited by international laws, these horrifying crimes are rampant across the world.
Such sordid realities should not be ignored. The perpetrators of such crimes should not be given impunity and dealt with vehemently.
The new convention on preventing and punishing crimes against humanity was long due. The Nordic countries support the draft articles as a foundation for the future convention on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity.
The convention will rejuvenate the international treaty framework. It will strengthen the international justice system. The convention will further provide agency to states to prevent and punish atrocious crime perpetrators.
Furthermore, the new convention will also enable inter-state cooperation ensuring effective and efficient investigations and punishment.
The ambassador emphasized not delaying the process any further.
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The preamble and Article 1 of the convention provide a balanced and well-written conceptual framework for the draft articles. It serves the purpose of the preamble.
The preamble as well set the legal context of the draft articles. It brings to attention the interdependence of the maintenance of peace and security. It affirms that crimes against humanity must be prevented in conformity with international law.
Moreover, it also highlights the end to impunity for the perpetrators of such crimes. The draft reaffirms that the prohibition of crimes against humanity is a peremptory norm of international law.
The Ambassador stated regarding Article 1 that both the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity are imperative key points.
The preamble of the conventions rightly states that the obligation to prevent and punish goes hand in hand.
The Ambassador concluded the statement by highlighting the unwavering support of Nordic countries for the elaboration of a convention based on the draft articles as recommended by the International Law Commission following 5 years of hard work.
The Nordic countries have a common goal to prevent and strengthen accountability for international crimes. Therefore, the countries are ready to extend support and stand ready to ensure progress toward a convention on crimes against humanity.
