Gambia Co-facilitates Draft Resolution on the Prevention & Punishment of Crimes against Humanity

In line with the Government of The Gambia’s continued commitment to peace and security, protection and promotion of human rights and progressive development of international law, the Permanent Mission of The Gambia to the United Nations in New York joined a group of likeminded states and co-facilitated with Mexico a draft resolution on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity at the UN with a view to providing opportunity for the elaboration of a future convention that enjoys universality. 

On 18th November 2022, this draft resolution, which had already garnered 86 co-sponsors prior to its call to action, was adopted by consensus after 3 years of cyclical inertia in the Sixth Committee.

Before taking action on the said draft resolution on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity, Mr. Amadou Jaiteh, counsellor and legal adviser at the Permanent Mission of The Gambia to the UN in New York, in his capacity as co-facilitator introducing the draft resolution, outlined the objectives of the draft resolution in his remarks as follows:

“Mr. Chair,

Distinguished Colleagues,

It is my distinct honor to introduce draft resolution A/C.6/77/L.4 on crimes against humanity on behalf of a cross-regional group of 86 cosponsors including the following additional cosponsors that are not mentioned on L4: Comoros, Djibouti, Japan Uganda, and Samoa. The text that we are proposing for adoption has three main objectives.

First, it offers a dedicated space for a substantive exchange of views on all aspects of the draft articles on prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity, and an opportunity to consider further the recommendation of the International Law Commission for the elaboration of a convention by the General Assembly or by an international conference of plenipotentiaries on the basis of the draft articles.

Second, it sets out a process for the consideration of this topic by the Sixth Committee, for the 77th, 78th and 79th sessions of the General Assembly.

And third, it sets a clear and defined timeline in which the Sixth Committee, at the 79th session of the General Assembly, will further examine the draft articles and the recommendation of the Commission and take a decision on this matter, without prejudice to the question of their future adoption or other appropriate action.”

The Government of The Gambia expresses profound gratitude to all the 193 member states of the UN for the trust they placed in The Gambia to co-facilitate the most difficult and challenging negotiations. 

The Government of The Gambia further expresses gratitude and sincere appreciation to all member states for their constructive engagements throughout the process. 

The success of this resolution brings solutions for accountability and justice to the world. The Government of The Gambia continues to contribute to international law and its progressive development as it relates to peace and security as well as protection and promotion of human rights.

End!