WFM-Canada is proud to join civil society organizations and individuals worldwide in endorsing the Joint Statement in Support of Progress toward a Crimes Against Humanity Treaty. This critical initiative comes at a pivotal time, with global momentum building around the need for a comprehensive, binding treaty to prevent and punish the most egregious violations of human rights.
For too long, crimes such as murder, extermination, enslavement, and persecution have continued across the globe, inflicting unimaginable suffering on millions. While international law has addressed other mass atrocities like genocide and war crimes, there remains a glaring gap: the absence of a treaty dedicated to crimes against humanity. The Draft Articles on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity - developed by the UN’s International Law Commission - provide a vital opportunity to change this.
As the United Nations General Assembly prepares to move the Draft Articles forward during its 79th session, we urge states to push for negotiations that will lead to a global treaty. Such a treaty will not only codify state responsibilities to prevent and punish these heinous crimes but also ensure that future generations are protected from similar atrocities.
The joint statement emphasizes that this treaty must be gender-competent, survivor-centric, and inclusive, reflecting the diverse voices of affected communities. At WFM-Canada, we strongly support these principles and believe that international cooperation, driven by the voices of civil society and survivors, is key to a successful treaty.
In our latest edition of Mondial, we published an in-depth article exploring the significance of this treaty and the urgent need for progress. We invite you to read the full piece on our blog or view the PDF version of Mondial.
WFM-Canada remains committed to working alongside our global partners to push for stronger international legal frameworks that protect human rights and uphold justice. Let’s ensure that this moment marks a turning point in the fight against impunity.
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