Preparatory Committee of the United Nations Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity
Statement delivered by Dr. René Värk, Director of the Division of International Law, MFA Estonia, on behalf of the Baltic states
New York, 19 January 2026
Chair,
Distinguished Delegates,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the three Baltic States – Latvia, Lithuania and my own country, Estonia.
The Baltic States align with the statement made by the European Union and its Member States.
At the outset, the Baltic States warmly welcome General Assembly resolution 79/122, which sets the way forward for the United Nations Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity in 2028 and 2029. We appreciate the convening of the first session of the Preparatory Committee and the opportunity to engage in the preparatory process.
While genocide, war crimes, torture, and enforced disappearance are governed by dedicated treaties, crimes against humanity – despite their gravity and status under customary international law – remain without a standalone treaty. Addressing this gap is both timely and necessary. Crimes against humanity are among the most serious crimes of concern to the international community as a whole, and threaten the peace, security and well-being of the world. Regrettably, they continue to be committed today. The civilian population continues to suffer, while the perpetrators often enjoy impunity. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is a stark and prominent example.
The Baltic States have already incorporated crimes against humanity into their criminal law. We have actively engaged in the discussions in the Sixth Committee and supported the work of the International Law Commission on the matter. We find that the Draft Articles prepared by the International Law Commission and the established international criminal law, particularly the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, are a solid foundation for our continued work.
The Draft Articles integrate prevention, punishment and international cooperation. They clearly set out the obligations of States to criminalise crimes against humanity, to establish jurisdiction, to investigate, to prosecute or extradite alleged perpetrators, and to cooperate internationally. These obligations are essential to combat impunity and to ensure accountability for such most serious international crimes.
We value the victim-centred approach of the Draft Articles, including the recognition of the rights of victims to protection, participation, and reparation. The victim-centred approach is vital given the profound and lasting harm inflicted on individuals, families, and communities.
We also underscore the importance of the gender dimension. The gender-responsive provisions are central to accurately reflect the suffering of victims and to ensure effective prevention, investigation, and accountability.
We further stress the importance of meaningful civil society participation. Their engagement enhances transparency, inclusiveness, and the quality of our deliberations.
Looking ahead, we see this stage of consultations as an opportunity for constructive, solutions-oriented dialogue, guided by our shared objective – establishing a robust and universal legal framework to prevent crimes against humanity and to ensure accountability.
In this spirit, the Baltic States reaffirm full support for the continuation of the process under General Assembly resolution 79/122. We stand ready to engage actively and constructively in all forthcoming stages. The adoption of the Convention on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity would be a landmark achievement, strengthening the rule of law and contributing meaningfully to the prevention of such crimes. The Baltic States look forward to working with all delegations and civil society partners toward a successful conclusion of this vital endeavour.
Thank you!