The UN General Assembly legal committee has approved a landmark resolution paving the way for negotiations on the first-ever treaty addressing crimes against humanity. The resolution was adopted late Friday by consensus after intense negotiations, marking a significant step toward holding perpetrators of such crimes accountable. Applause erupted as the resolution passed, setting the stage for a final General Assembly vote on December 4, where it is expected to gain formal adoption.

The resolution initiates a time-bound process to finalize the treaty, with preparatory sessions scheduled for 2026 and 2027 and three-week negotiations planned for 2028 and 2029. Richard Dicker of Human Rights Watch called the decision a “historic achievement,” emphasizing its importance in addressing atrocities in regions such as Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, Ethiopia, and Myanmar.

While Russia initially proposed amendments that could have delayed the treaty’s progress, its deputy UN ambassador Maria Zabolotskaya announced their withdrawal “in a spirit of compromise.” However, Russia dissociated itself from the resolution’s consensus, signaling its reservations while maintaining a willingness to engage in future negotiations.

Crimes against humanity, which include acts like murder, torture, rape, and enforced disappearances, are currently addressed under the International Criminal Court (ICC) but lack a dedicated treaty. With nearly 70 countries outside the ICC’s jurisdiction, the new treaty aims to fill this critical gap in international law.

Kelly Adams of the Global Justice Centre hailed the resolution as a “historic breakthrough” and expressed hope for a progressive and survivor-centric treaty. Despite concerns over the extended timeline, Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnes Callamard noted the treaty’s importance in reinforcing international justice.

Gambia’s Counselor Amadou Jaiteh described the resolution’s adoption as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to amplify the voices of victims and strive for a world free of such heinous crimes.

The UN General Assembly legal committee has approved a landmark resolution paving the way for negotiations on the first-ever treaty addressing crimes against humanity. The resolution was adopted late Friday by consensus after intense negotiations, marking a significant step toward holding perpetrators of such crimes accountable. Applause erupted as the resolution passed, setting the stage for a final General Assembly vote on December 4, where it is expected to gain formal adoption.

The resolution initiates a time-bound process to finalize the treaty, with preparatory sessions scheduled for 2026 and 2027 and three-week negotiations planned for 2028 and 2029. Richard Dicker of Human Rights Watch called the decision a “historic achievement,” emphasizing its importance in addressing atrocities in regions such as Ukraine, Sudan, Gaza, Ethiopia, and Myanmar.

While Russia initially proposed amendments that could have delayed the treaty’s progress, its deputy UN ambassador Maria Zabolotskaya announced their withdrawal “in a spirit of compromise.” However, Russia dissociated itself from the resolution’s consensus, signaling its reservations while maintaining a willingness to engage in future negotiations.

Crimes against humanity, which include acts like murder, torture, rape, and enforced disappearances, are currently addressed under the International Criminal Court (ICC) but lack a dedicated treaty. With nearly 70 countries outside the ICC’s jurisdiction, the new treaty aims to fill this critical gap in international law.

Kelly Adams of the Global Justice Centre hailed the resolution as a “historic breakthrough” and expressed hope for a progressive and survivor-centric treaty. Despite concerns over the extended timeline, Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnes Callamard noted the treaty’s importance in reinforcing international justice.

Gambia’s Counselor Amadou Jaiteh described the resolution’s adoption as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to amplify the voices of victims and strive for a world free of such heinous crimes.