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EU Statement – UN General Assembly 6th Committee: Crimes against humanity

12.10.2026
New York

12 October 2026, New York - Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States by Mr. Friedrich Erlbacher, Minister Counsellor, Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, at the Sixth Committee on the Agenda item 79: “Crimes against humanity”

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Thank you, Mr./Madam Chair,

 

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

 

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro*, Serbia*, Albania*, Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Bosnia and Herzegovina* and Georgia, as well as Armenia, Andorra, Monaco and San Marino align themselves with this statement.

 

Mr./Madam Chair, 

 

Following the adoption of Resolution 79/122 launching the process to negotiate a Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity, we understand that this year the Sixth Committee’s task is simply to adopt a decision setting the exact dates of the first session of the Diplomatic Conference. This debate however offers us the opportunity to take stock of the important groundwork that has been achieved throughout the last twelve months, in particular at the first session of the Preparatory Committee last January.

 

The European Union and its Member States were pleased to participate in the constructive discussions, cluster by cluster, of the Draft Articles elaborated by the International Law Commission in 2019, and then to present their respective comments and specific amendment proposals, alongside many other delegations. These exercises help paving the way for Conference in 2028.

 

Also, we welcome the fact that the Conference will be open to the active participation of relevant non-governmental organisations.

 

As for the work ahead, the EU and its Member States stand ready to work constructively with all delegations at the upcoming 2nd session of the Preparatory Committee. We are positive that the Preparatory Committee will be able to find consensus on all texts to be prepared and, in particular, on Rules of Procedure that should allow the Conference to concentrate on substance as of day one and to deliberate in an open, inclusive, transparent and efficient process.

 

I thank you.

  1. North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.