Towards A Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity: From Negotiation To Effective Enforcement

This contribution traces the pathway to negotiation of the Convention on Crimes Against Humanity following the adoption of U.N. General Assembly Resolution 79/122 of 2024. It highlights several cross-cutting issues that require further attention during the negotiating process; namely, the principle of universal jurisdiction, the obligation to extradite or prosecute (“aut dedere aut judicare”), and the treatment of amnesties. Moreover, it explores the critical role of national implementation and discusses possible enforcement and oversight mechanisms, both of which will help give meaning to the treaty’s aims and objectives and ensure that it becomes an effective instrument for the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity.