UNGA79 6th Committee debate on Crimes Against Humanity
Statement delivered by Elvira Cupika-Mavrina, Legal advisor of Latvia on behalf of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia
New York, 10 October 2024
Mr. Chair,
I have the honor to address the Sixth Committee on behalf of the 3 Baltic States – Estonia, Lithuania and my own country Latvia.
The Baltic States align with the statement made by the European Union and its Member States.
It is a well-known fact – unlike other crimes under international law such as genocide, apartheid, torture and enforced disappearance, there is still no international treaty solely attributed to prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity.
As proud co-sponsors of the zero-draft put forward by the Permanent missions of Gambia and Mexico, we are ready to take a decision on this matter, in accordance with paragraph 7 of resolution 77/249.
Speaking in the Peter Ferdinand Drucker’s words, “The best way to predict the future is to create it” and we are ready to create a future where crimes against humanity are prevented and don’t go unpunished, firstly, by starting formal negotiations on the convention on prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity.
In our view, ILC have done tremendous work by drafting articles on prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity in a way that would not cause fragmentation of international law. These draft articles would not only fill the existing legal gap, but would also serve as an effective tool to prevent and combat impunity.
While we are aware that there are still different views on some parts of the draft articles, we don’t see this aspect as an obstacle to start the negotiation process. On the contrary, we need these negotiations to bridge our differences, align our views, so that we can draft a convention that protects us from suffering caused by crimes against humanity and, if committed, ensures that the perpetrators are held accountable.
I thank you!