Chair,
I have the honor to speak on behalf of the eight Nordic-Baltic countries: Estonia, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and my own country, Sweden.
The decision taken by this Committee last year to move forward with negotiations on a
convention on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity was a long-awaited and important step. It marks a milestone in the collective efforts of the international community to close a gap in international treaty law.
A future dedicated convention would not only reinforce accountability at the international level, but also benefit national legislation and criminal jurisdiction, promote inter-state cooperation, and reinforce our shared ability to prevent and punish crimes against humanity.
These crimes remain among the most serious of international concern. Despite their clear prohibition under international law, civilian populations continue to suffer, while perpetrators often enjoy impunity. We must not allow this to continue. We must honor the memory of those who lost their lives and heed the call of survivors by ensuring accountability for the unthinkable violations of their human rights that crimes against humanity entail.
The Nordic and Baltic countries remain convinced that the draft articles adopted by the
International Law Commission provide a solid basis for the convention.
We appreciate the substantive exchanges held in the Sixth Committee, which helped pave the way for the decision to initiate negotiations. These discussions showed that states are ready to engage constructively and revealed convergence of views on key aspects of the draft articles, including the definition of crimes against humanity and provisions on international cooperation.
The Nordic and Baltic countries also welcome the growing recognition of the importance of addressing sexual and gender-based crimes within the framework of a future convention. We stand ready to work with others to ensure that the treaty provides a strong basis for the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity, reflects developments in international law and responds to the stark realities of today.
Looking ahead, the Nordic and Baltic countries look forward to the Conference of
Plenipotentiaries on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity in 2028 and 2029, and the preparatory committee meetings in 2026 and 2027.
These meetings will be crucial for laying the groundwork for a successful outcome, and we must make the most of these opportunities through inclusive, transparent and constructive engagement. In this spirit, we strongly support the broadest possible meaningful participation of civil society in these meetings.
Chair,
Our task is clear – to prevent further crimes and ensure that never again will crimes against humanity go unanswered. The Nordic and Baltic countries are ready to work with all delegations to achieve a strong and universal convention that future generations can rely on.
I thank you.