The Holy See is throwing its support behind a future Convention on Crimes Against Humanity, advocating for a legally binding treaty that respects international norms, upholds justice principles, and supports victims while respecting state sovereignty. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the Vatican Permanent Observer to the United Nations, emphasized the importance of aligning the definition of crimes against humanity with existing international law, specifically the International Criminal Court (ICC) Statute.
The Holy See’s stance comes as the United Nations is finalizing discussions on the Convention on Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity. The UN has been working to fill the gap in international justice since 2019, and the Sixth Committee of the 79th UN General Assembly is expected to decide on “Draft Articles” and recommendations submitted by the International Law Commission.
Archbishop Caccia expressed concerns over the omission of a clear definition of gender based on biological reality, which could undermine efforts to prosecute crimes that disproportionately affect women, such as rape and forced prostitution. The Holy See also opposes changes to the definition of forced pregnancy as outlined in Article 7 of the ICC Statute.
The Vatican Observer stressed that efforts to prevent and punish crimes against humanity must respect state sovereignty, with states taking primary responsibility for prosecution and cooperating in extraditing perpetrators and assisting victims. Any new legal instrument must uphold principles of legality, due process, and the presumption of innocence.
This development is a significant step towards establishing a universal treaty on crimes against humanity, which is crucial given the recent surge in such crimes globally. Human Rights Watch has welcomed the move, noting that a treaty would provide more protection for civilians and extend the rule of law.