Statement on behalf of Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia by Elvira Cupika-Mavrina, Legal advisor of Latvia to the United Nations on Crimes against humanity New York, 10 October 2024
Mr. Chair,
I have the honor to address the Sixth Committee on behalf of the 3 Baltic States - Estonia, Lithuania and my own country Latvia.
The Baltic States align with the statement delivered by the European Union and its Member States and the cross-regional statement delivered by Sierra Leone.
It is a well-known fact that unlike in case of other crimes under international law such as genocide, apartheid, torture and enforced disappearance, there is still no treaty on crimes against humanity.
As proud co-sponsors of the zero-draft put forward by the Permanent missions of Gambia and Mexico, we are ready to take a decision on this matter, in accordance with paragraph 7 of resolution 77/249.
Speaking in the Peter Ferdinand Drucker’s words, “The best way to predict the future is to create it” and we are ready to create a future where crimes against humanity are prevented and don’t go unpunished, (firstly), by starting negotiations on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity convention.
In our view, the ILC has done tremendous work by drafting the articles on prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity in a way that would not only fill the existing legal gap, but would also serve as a missing tool to combat impunity. We, the UN Member States, should now carry on this important work.
While we are aware that there are still different views on some parts of the draft articles, we do not see that as an obstacle to start the negotiation process. On the contrary, we need these negotiations and our dedication to work tirelessly to reach consensus in adopting the text of the Convention that we own to many victims of crimes against humanity, to protect our nations against crimes against humanity in the future and to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable.
I thank you!