Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Columbia Law School’s Prevention of Crimes Against Humanity Project have released a pivotal report advocating for the establishment of a comprehensive international treaty aimed at preventing and punishing crimes against humanity. The proposed treaty, rooted in the 2019 International Law Commission (ILC) draft articles, is gaining traction among United Nations members, with potential adoption eyed for as soon as 2029.

The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity seeks to streamline the process of prosecuting severe crimes such as genocide, torture, and enforced disappearances, which are often committed systematically against civilian populations. By forming a uniform legal framework, the treaty would empower individual states to enact national laws aligned with international standards, thus enhancing the capacity of domestic courts through mutual legal assistance.

A notable aspect of the proposed treaty is its focus on protecting vulnerable and historically marginalized groups. HRW emphasizes the necessity of safeguarding Indigenous communities, women, children, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals, and survivors of crimes against humanity. The report proposes twenty-five amendments for consideration during UN negotiations, including stronger provisions for crimes like forced marriage, which has been uniquely characterized by the International Criminal Court in 2022 as a violation of personal autonomy and rights.

The report also calls for the refinement of definitions to better capture the specific harms experienced by different affected groups. For instance, it suggests more explicit language to encompass the crime of forced marriage under international law, currently prosecuted under a broader category in the Rome Statute.

In an effort to make the treaty formulation process more inclusive, HRW recommends that amendment discussions be made accessible through measures such as webcasting proceedings with simultaneous translations. This would facilitate participation from diverse groups including victims' advocates, women’s rights defenders, and representatives from Indigenous and disabled communities.

Crimes against humanity represent some of the gravest offenses in the international legal spectrum, encompassing acts of murder, enslavement, torture, and persecution. The establishment of a dedicated treaty would not only reinforce the existing legal prohibitions but also enhance global efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.

UN member states have officially commenced work on the new convention, with formal negotiations taking place under the auspices of the General Assembly’s Sixth Committee as of October 2025. As the international community moves closer to solidifying this treaty, the potential for a more just and accountable global society grows increasingly tangible.