Empower Civil Society in Convention on Crimes Against Humanity Talks

Global negotiations toward a Convention on Crimes Against Humanity are scheduled to begin during the first session of the Conference Preparatory Committee and Working Group, holding from January 19 to 30, 2026. Ahead of these talks, civil society organizations are urging states to guarantee broad, meaningful, and inclusive participation, particularly for persons with disabilities and their representative groups. In December 2024, adoption of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 79/122 formally launched discussions on a new international convention addressing crimes against humanity. Decisions on whether stakeholders beyond non-governmental organizations holding ECOSOC consultative status may participate were deferred to the first Preparatory Committee session. Civil society groups argue that postponement risks excluding voices that are critical to a fair and effective treaty-making process. Inclusion Of Persons With Disabilities In Negotiations Persons with disabilities have historically faced disproportionate targeting during crimes against humanity while also encountering systemic barriers when seeking justice. Ensuring their full participation requires opening negotiations to organizations without ECOSOC status and providing reasonable accommodations that enable equal engagement. International Law Commission Draft Articles from 2019, together with state amendment proposals due by April 30, 2026 , will serve as the foundation for negotiations. Although these draft articles provide a solid starting point, advocates stress that clearer provisions addressing crimes committed against persons with disabilities remain necessary. Explicit recognition would strengthen prevention, accountability, and reparations. Why Broad Civil Society Participation Matters Effective treaty development benefits from diverse expertise and lived experiences. Previous international processes demonstrate this clearly. Negotiations leading to the Rome Statute, as well as the UN Convention against Cybercrime adopted in December 2024, showed that allowing civil society organisations without ECOSOC status improved both substance and legitimacy. Similar inclusive approaches were applied during negotiations for the Ljubljana–The Hague Convention. Wide participation also supports transparency, balance, and credibility. Victims, survivors, and organizations from regions most affected by crimes against humanity bring perspectives that states alone cannot provide. Many groups, particularly in the Global South, face significant financial and administrative barriers to securing ECOSOC accreditation within limited timeframes, making alternative participation pathways essential. Accessibility And Reasonable Accommodations Removing physical, communication, institutional, and attitudinal barriers remains central to meaningful participation. States are encouraged to provide accessible information, inclusive meeting formats, and reasonable accommodations throughout all negotiation stages. Such measures align with obligations under the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and UN Security Council Resolution 2475, which emphasizes protection of persons with disabilities in conflict situations. Inclusion of disability rights experts within state delegations would further strengthen discussions and ensure that resulting provisions reflect real-world challenges faced by affected communities. Key Recommendations For The 2026 Preparatory Committee Civil society organizations recommend that the Preparatory Committee: Enable full civil society engagement, including participation by organizations without ECOSOC consultative status Ensure geographical and gender representation, with special attention to women and children with disabilities Remove procedural barriers that limit in-person attendance and meaningful participation. Grant observers equal participatory rights in formal meetings Strengthening Protection Within The Convention Future provisions should clearly recognize crimes committed against persons with disabilities as crimes against humanity. Amendments to draft articles are expected to address: Explicit non-discrimination and substantive equality guarantees Inclusion of disability as a ground for persecution Recognition of unique justice access challenges faced by persons with disabilities, alongside mandatory accommodations Explicit acknowledgement would mark a significant step toward aligning international criminal law with modern human rights standards. Broader collaboration among states would also improve access to justice, truth, and reparations for victims. Role Of Civil Society Beyond Adoption Civil society engagement will remain vital after adoption. Advocacy for ratification, support for investigations and prosecutions, and development of preventive mechanisms all depend on sustained participation. Restricting involvement only to organizations with formal UN status risks weakening both acceptance and implementation of the Convention. Inclusive negotiations remain essential to delivering a convention that reflects justice, accountability, and protection for all, especially marginalized populations historically subjected to grave abuses.

Empower Civil Society in Convention on Crimes Against Humanity Talks

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