In late 2024, the United Nations adopted a resolution to begin negotiations toward a new Crimes against Humanity Treaty. The preparatory session for those negotiations begins today, with UN Member States deciding how civil society will participate in the process.
Every Woman has joined more than 350 other civil society organisations and individuals in urging UN Member States to ensure inclusive and meaningful civil society participation throughout the drafting process.
“Broader participation will strengthen the diversity of voices in the room, including survivors and others who are often underrepresented,” the joint civil society declaration read. It will “bolster the transparency and credibility of the treaty-making process.”
The Crimes against Humanity Convention seeks to prevent and punish some of the gravest crimes, including enslavement, rape, persecution and enforced disappearance. Meaningful civil society engagement is essential to ensuring the treaty delivers justice that is comprehensive, credible and effective and reflects the lived realities of those most affected, including women and girls who experience violence around the world.
Every Woman is proud to stand alongside other civil society and human rights organisations worldwide to ensure full and meaningful participation in the treaty-making process.
The full text of the declaration and signatories is below.
With thanks to the Global Justice Center and CAH Treaty Now for facilitating this initiative.
_____
January 14, 2026
Ensuring the Full, Meaningful, and Safe Participation of Diverse Civil Society in the UN Crimes against Humanity Treaty Process
We, the undersigned organizations and individuals, represent civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, victim/survivor associations, and academic institutions from around the world. We have technical expertise on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity, including their adjudication before national and international courts and tribunals.
Many of us have also directly experienced or witnessed the commission of crimes against humanity. We welcome the opening of the Preparatory Committee for the Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity, a vital step towards closing a long-standing accountability gap in international law.
We commend the inclusion of non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (“ECOSOC”) in the Preparatory Committee and the Conference of Plenipotentiaries as observers under Resolution 79/122.[1] However, we regret the absence of a clear proviso ensuring the equal participation of non-ECOSOC accredited organizations and individuals with relevant experiences and expertise. Their participation is essential to ensure a robust treaty process and final outcome. Broader participation will strengthen the diversity of voices in the room, including survivors and others who are often underrepresented; bolster the transparency and credibility of the treaty-making process; and facilitate a victim and survivor-centric, intersectional, and gender-competent approach to the treaty.
We urge Member States to support the full, meaningful, and safe participation of civil society throughout the preparation and negotiation of the treaty, in accordance with international law and UN practice and guidance.[2] This requires that ECOSOC-accredited organizations be able to participate in a meaningful manner, [3] and that in addition, non-ECOSOC accredited organizations and individuals be able to do so as well, with the same rights of participation. Taking into account the principles of transparency, accessibility, diversity, equitable geographical representation, and gender parity, the possible modalities for all civil society participation should include, at a minimum, oral interventions, individually and jointly, written statements and other documentation made available to all delegates and observers in-person and online, remote participation and streaming options, and intersessional consultations. Further, due effort should be made to ensure and facilitate broad civil society participation by maintaining flexibility in registration deadlines and allocations. These modalities are necessary in light of the obstacles often faced by civil society, including resource constraints, travel restrictions, physical, communication, and other accessibility barriers, and state reprisals.
During the eightieth session of the Sixth Committee, more than 50 Member States noted that civil society had already “enriched the [crimes against humanity treaty] process with invaluable expertise,” including in the very call for a treaty and in “legal analysis, practical recommendations, and innovative ideas for the content and structure of a future convention.”[4]
We respectfully urge Member States to facilitate a transparent, inclusive, and effective procedure for our continued participation, in recognition of our shared commitment to the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity.
1 UN General Assembly Resolution 79/122, paras. 16-17.
2 See, e.g., Civil Society Participation, ABILA Study Group on Crimes against Humanity (Oct. 16, 2025), https://www.ila-americanbranch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ABILA-CAH-Civil-Society-Participation-Final-with-cover-v2.pdf, paras. 3-8 (citing, inter alia, the UN Charter, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and UN Guidance Note on the Protection and Promotion of Civic Space).
3 See UN General Assembly Resolution 79/122, para. 8.
4 Joint Statement on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity, Delivered by Costa Rica on behalf of Austria, Australia, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Bulgaria, Cabo Verde, Canada, Chile, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Ireland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Timor-Leste, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, and the European Union, https://www.un.org/en/ga/sixth/80/pdfs/statements/cah/12mtg_costarica_group.pdf.
Sincerely,
Organizational Signatories (160)
8AM MEDIA
Abuja Network of NGO ACPDH Burundi
Action des Chrétiens Activites des Droits de l’Homme à Shabunda (ACADHOSHA) Action pour la Protection des Droits de l’Enfant (APDE)
ADIFEVEA World
Afghan Women’s Network International (AWNI) Africa Legal Aid (AFLA)
African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies African Law Foundation (AFRILAW)
Al-Haq ALTSEAN-Burma
Aman against Discrimination (AAD) Amnesty International
Arus Pelangi
ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN People’s Forum Philippines 2026 Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR)
Asia Justice Coalition
Asia-Pacific Centre for the Responsibility to Protect Asian Muslim Action Network (AMAN Indonesia) Asian Resource Foundation (ARF)
Avaaz
Azadi Network
Bangladesh Society of International Law
Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM) Banu Anvari and Hejran Handicrafts Company
Benghazi Center for Migration and Asylum Consulting and Research Biladi Human Rights Observatory
Boston University International Human Rights Clinic Brij Peace Empowerers
Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) Center for Gender & Refugee Studies
Center for Human Rights Advocacy Center for Migrant Advocacy, Philippines
Center for Peace Education and Community Development
Centro de Investigación y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos, CIPRODEH Civil Centre for Peace, Justice and Development
Clinique de droit international pénal et humanitaire, Université Laval Coalition for Genocide Response
Coalition for the International Criminal Court
Coalition for the Prevention of Hazara Genocide (CPHG) Coalition of Somali HRDs (CSHRD)
Collectif des familles de disparus en Algérie / Fédération euroméditerranéenne contre les disparitions forcées
Comrades of Rohingya Youths (CRY) Concern for Integrated Development
Conference of Non Governmental Organizations, Nigeria Congrès Mondial Amazigh / Amazigh World Congress Congress of Nations and States
Dameer Foundation for Rights and Freedoms Darfur Network for Human Rights Development for Peace Education
DITSHWANELO – The Botswana Centre for Human Rights Divine Foundation for Disabled Persons
Edge Hopebuilders for Youth and Women Initiative Educational and Health Organization for Afghanistan Woman Educational and Health Organization for Afghanistan Women Egbema Clean and Green Initiative
Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) Emergent Justice Collective
End Gender Apartheid Campaign
European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) Every Woman
Farida Global Organization Foundation “OPORA in Poland”
Foundation for Human Rights Initiative (FHRI) Foundation for the Promotion of Rights Foundation Sunflowers
Fundación Internacional Baltasar Garzón –FIBGAR–Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect Global Initiative Against Impunity (GIAI)
Global Justice Center
Global Rights Advocacy Global Survivors Fund
Gulf Centre for Human Rights
Health Awareness and Rural Girls Education Initiative Hemayat Hope
Her Future Afghanistan Human Asia
Human Rights Advocacy Centre Ghana Human Rights Watch
ImPact Coalition on Strengthening International Judicial Institutions Independent Medico Legal Unit
Initiative Africaine pour le développement durable Inmaa for Development
Interest of Justice
International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL) International Bar Association (IBA)
International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute International Commission of Jurists
International Community for Georgia Development and the Progress International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
International Helping for the Young
International Humanitarian Law and Youth Initiative (IHLYI) International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)
International Truth and Justice Project Investigator Organization for the Rule of Law Justice Access Point (JAP)
Justitia Center for the Legal Protection of Human Rights in Algeria Kalyanamitra
Keen and Care Initiative (KCI) Kenya Human Rights Commission KINNAPA Development Programme
Konfederation of Indonesian People’s Movement LAKAS
Lawyers for Justice in Libya Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada
League for the Defence of Human Rights in Iran (LDDHI) Legal Action Worldwide
Legal Watch and Human Rights Initiative Lembaga Partisipasi Perempuan MADRE
Mahabad Organization for Human Rights Malala Fund
Manushya Foundation
Marie-Claire N. Kuja Foundation Marvelous, Inc.
MBAKITA-Mission of Beneficence Agriculture of Kubango Inclusive Technologies and Environment
Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organization in Malaysia (MERHROM) National Forum for Human Rights
Network Support for Peace Education (NeSPE)
Observatoire des droits de l’homme au Rwanda-ODHR
Organization for Policy Research and Development Studies (DROPS) Parliamentarians for Global Action
Peace and Justice Network
People for Equality and Relief in Lanka (PEARL)
Perkumpulan Suaka Untuk Perlindungan Hak Pengungsi (SUAKA) Peterborough Pollinators
Progressive Voice Protection Approaches REDRESS
Repro Justice Congo
Rohingya Green Nature Society
Safe Empowered Communities Association SAHR
Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief Society for Threatened Peoples
Solidarité des Femmes pour le Développement Intégral (SOFEDI Asbl) Strategic Litigation Project
Synergy for Justice
Syria Justice and Accountability Center (SJAC)
Tanzania Community Health Information and Support (TaCHIS) The Common Good Foundation, Inc.
The Congress of Nations and States
The West African Transitional Justice Centre Transitional Justice Working Group (TJWG) TRIAL International
Union des Amis Socio Culturels d’Action en Developpement (UNASCAD) Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights
Visions for Development and Human Rights
Voices for Change (Mgbakor Development and Relief Initiative) Water Aid for Afghanistan (WAFA)
Women Child Youth Health and Education Initiative, Nigeria Women’s Action Network Sri Lanka
Women’s Association for Women and Victims’ Empowerment (WAVE Gambia) Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom UK (WILPF UK)
World Court of Human Rights Coalition World Institute on Disability
World Peace Alliance World Service Authority Yazda
Individual Signatories (228)
Zafar Ahmad Abdul Ghani, Human Rights For All, Malaysia
Fahim Abrar Abid, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
Javier Acevedo, Honduras
Alaikah Ahmed, Bangladesh
Nora Ahmetaj, Ukraine Abimbola Ajileye, Nigeria
Abraham Akilimali, Tanzania
Susan Akram, Boston University School of Law, United States
Mary Akrami, Afghan Women’s Network International (AWNI), United States
Nabila Akter, Fareast International University, Bangladesh
Asmaa Al Ameen, Iraq Wajahat Ali, Pakistan
Ezéchiel Amani Cirimwami, Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Belgium Monia Ammar, Tunisia
Libia Arenal Lora, Seville University, Spain
Matabishi Rugereza Armen, ADIFEVEA World, United Kingdom
Benedetta Arrighini, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium
Sareta Ashraph, Trinidad and Tobago
Mahamoud Awaleh, SAB, Somalia
Samuel Azakasi, Prime Peace Foundation, Ghana
Saeed Bagheri, University of Reading, United Kingdom Seun Bakare, Leiden University, The Netherlands Markus Baldermann, United States
Tayshena Baltazard, United States
Julie Bardèche, REDRESS, The Netherlands
Najila Bayat, Pakistan
Olympia Bekou, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
Karima Bennoune, University of Michigan Law School, United States
Tania Bernath, United States
Marilyn Betis, Homenet, Philippines
Tbilisi Bezhanishvili, International Community for Georgia Development and the Progress, Georgia
Alison Bisset, University of Reading, United Kingdom
Carolyn Blum, UC Berkeley Law School, United States
Nicola Bonucci, Université Paris Cité, France
Reed Brody, UN Group of Human Rights experts on Nicaragua, Hungary
Wanda Brown, United States of America
Todd Buchwald, United States
Ferdinand Buenviaje, Amnesty International Philippines, Philippines
Antonio Bultrini, University of Florence, Italy
Ann Burns, United States
David Buzard, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, United States
Mónica Castillejos-Aragón, UC Berkeley School of Law, United States
Jasna Causevic, Society for Threatened Peoples/Gesellschaft für bedrohte Völker, Germany Farah Chalisa, United States
Khalid Cherkaoui Semmouni, National Center for Combating Violence and Abuse against Children, Morocco
Christy Fujio, Synergy for Justice, Netherlands
Sara Ciucci, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
Ikwuegbu Confidence Robinson, Global Rights, Spaces for Change, Youth and Environmental Advocacy Centre, TechHerNG etc, Nigeria
Mahamat Dabary, Chad
Tom Dannenbaum, Stanford Law School, United States Gayle Davies, Australian Greens, Australia
Christian De Vos, CUNY School of Law, United States Julia Dean, Australia
Sarah Diaz, Immigration & Human Rights Clinic, Loyola University Chicago School of Law, United States
David Donat Cattin, New York University Center for Global Affairs, United States
Stefano Dongili, Comunity Center Verona, Italy
Pashtana Dorani, LEARN Afghan, United States
Ariel Dulitzky, United States
Kate Duru, Nigeria
Nassera Dutour, Collectif des familles de disparus en Algérie / Federation euroméditerranéenne contre les disparitions forcées, France
Courage Enudeme, Nigeria Soraya Fallah, United States
Naheed Farid, Her Future Afghanistan, United States
Stephanie Farrior, United States
Laurel Fletcher, UC Berkeley, United States
Micaela Frulli, University of Florence, Italy
Federico Gaitan Hairabedian, American University Washington College of Law, United States Hannah Garry, USC Gould School of Law, United States
Genoveva Dimcheva Sotiriova, Bulgaria
Azita Ghanizada, United States
Richard Goldstone, South Africa Mohammad Farid Hamidi, US
Zaki Hannache, Algeria
Lindsay M. Harris, University of San Francisco School of Law, United States
Mary Hasavari, Norway
Hassan Kadadno, Libya
Jo Hayward-Haines, Peterborough Pollinators, Canada
Sayem Hazim, Afghanistan
Markus Hermawan, Congregation of the Mission Indonesian Province, United States
Luisa Hofmann, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Deena Hurwitz, United States Stanley Ibe, Nigeria
Mabel Ikoghode Ekido, Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI), Nigeria
Ro Mayyu Isam, Rohingya Genocide Prevention Research Network (RGPRN), Bangladesh Vinodh Jaichand, Active Citizens Movement, South Africa
Jannet Kaddechi, Tunisia
Wangechi Grace Kahuria, Kenya Erika Kalantzi, Greece
Naga Kandiah, United Kingdom
Parwiz Kawa, 8AM MEDIA, Afghanistan / Canada Daniel Keevy, South Africa
Michael Kelly, Creighton University, United States
Quanita Khan, Canada
Lida Kharooti Sayeed, Afghan Women Judges Association, William and Mary Law School, United States
Khatera Anwary, Afghanistan
Jihyang Kim, Korean Bar Association, South Korea
John Eugen Kinabo, Tanzania
Olga Kotsiuruba, Foundation “OPORA in Poland,” Poland
Dimitrios A. Kourtis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Kaja Kowalczewska, Swansea University and KOOS Coalition
Cyprianus Lilik Krismantoro Putro, Laudato Si’ Movement, Indonesia Hein Htet Kyaw, Atheist Alliance International, Australia
Shubhamanyu Lahiri, India
Maryam Lanko, Nigeria Priya Lehal, Canada
Listyowati Listyowati, Indonesia Sally Livingston, Canada
Janet Lord, Center for International and Comparative Law, University of Baltimore, United States
Erin Lyons, Geneva Academy, United States
Elham Manea, Adjunct Professor, Switzerland
Megan L. Manion, Yale Law School, United States
Craig Martin, Washburn Univ. School of Law, United States
Anja Matwijkiw, Indiana University, United States
Natalia Maystorovich Chulio, University of New South Wales, Australia
John McManus, Portugal
Dr. Abdul Aziz Meslat, George Washington University, United States Abdul Aziz Meslat, United States
Bonita Meyersfeld, University of the Witwatersrand School of Law, South Africa
Mohamed Aboelazm, Congress of Nations and States, United States
Lieketseng Mohlakoana-Motopi, South Africa Abubakare Momodu, Abuja Network of NGO, Nigeria
Louis Monin-Tarnier, France
Zahra Motamedi, United States
Nourhan Moustafa, International Humanitarian Law and Youth Initiative, Switzerland
Lahbib Naaimi, Law 4 Palestine, Morocco
Marie-Claire Nabila Kuna, United States
Eva-Maria Nag, Global Policy, United Kingdom
Natia Navrouzov, Yazda, Iraq
Mohammed Ndifuna, Uganda
Gissou Nia, Strategic Litigation Project, United States
Ibrahim Niziplioglu, Germany
Melanie O’Brien, University of Western Australia, Australia
Ewelina Ochab, International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, United Kingdom
Dr. Ewelina Ochab, Coalition for Genocide Response, United Kingdom
Temilola Odetola, Association of Civil Society Organizations in Ondo State, Nigeria
Civil Society Organizations on SDGs, Nigeria
Henry Off, Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights, Canada
Raphael Ogundele, Edge Hopebuilders for Youth and Women Initiative, Nigeria
Chinwike Okereke, Nigeria
Bartholomew Okoudo, Conference of Non Governmental Organisations, Nigeria
Oluwaseun Oluwadamilare, Nigeria
Osayomore Lucky Omorogieva, Migration Youth and Children Platform (MYCP), Nigeria
Valerie Oosterveld, Faculty of Law, University of Western Ontario, Canada
Diane Orentlicher, American University Washington College of Law, United States
Jadranka Osrečak
Mahya Ostovar, University of Galway, Ireland Olfa Ouled, Seine Saint-Denis Bar, France
Iulia Padeanu Mellon, Foley Hoag LLP, United States
Michael Pates, cylindr, United States
Dristirupa Patgiri, Assam University (A Central University), India
Jessica Peake, International and Comparative Law Program, UCLA School of Law, United States
Itumeleng Phage, Central University of Technology, Free State, South Africa
Linda Pius, Socio Economic Research and Development Centre, Nigeria
Michele Polizzotto, Italy
Emilie Palamy Pradichit, Manushya Foundation, Thailand
Emily Prey, New Lines Institute, United States
Luigi Prosperi, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
Rini Purwandari, Indonesia
Akila Radhakrishnan, End Gender Apartheid Campaign, United States
Francis Rajzman, Brazil
Humaira Rasuli, Human Rights Defender Committee, United States
Alice Riccardi, Roma Tre University, Italy
Francisco Rivera, Santa Clara Law, United States Kim Rivers, United States
Helena Rodríguez Bronchu Carceller, Switzerland
Nele Rohricht, Human Security Solutions
Stephen Rosenbaum, University of California, Berkeley School of Law, United States
Kirity Roy, India
Christine Ryan, Columbia Law School, United States
Susana SaCouto, American University Washington College of Law, United States
Leila Sadat, Washington University School of Law, United States
Mariam Safi, Organization for Policy Research and Development Studies (DROPS), Canada Indai Sajor, Women’s Tribunal Feminist Collective, Philippines
Mathieu Sake, USIDRH, United States
Nilofar Sakhi, Andiana Foundation, United States
Khalid Salih, Farida Global Organization, Iraq, Germany
Ellene Sana, Center for Migrant Advocacy, Philippines
Nelson Camilo Sanchez, International Human Rights Clinic, University of Virginia School of Law, United States
Najiba Sanjar, Sweden
Bibi Zahra Sayar, Afghanistan
William Schabas, Middlesex University London, United Kingdom
Okey Sebamalai, United States
Dalila Seoane, Latin American Network for Gender-based Strategic Litigation (ReLeG), Argentina
Tebogo Sethibe, Botswana Joseph Severe, UNASCAD, Haiti Stoorai Shinwari, Afghanistan
Negin Shiraghaei, Azadi Network, United Kingdom
Rebecca Shoot, Washington Working Group for the International Criminal Court and ImPact Coalition on Strengthening International Judicial Institutions, United States
Grant Shubin, DIGNITY, Canada
Basak Naz Simsek, Universität Bielefeld, Germany Shantanu Singh, India
Mohammad Sirat, Afghanistan Women Movement for Justice and Equity, Pakistan Margaret Slavin, Religious Society of Friends (Canadian Yearly Meeting), Canada
David Sloss, Santa Clara University, United States
Yasmin Sooka, South Africa
Juliet Sorensen, Rule of Law Institute, Loyola University Chicago, USA
Miriam Vesna Specka Bukovac, Mexico, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Megan Steven, Greater Equitable Measures (GEM), Malaysia
Debbie Stothard, ALTSEAN-Burma, Burma
Michael Strauss, Earth Media, United States
Érick Sullivan, Clinique de droit international pénal et humanitaire, Université Laval, Canada Hannah Sweeney, Foley Hoag LLP, United States
Melinda Taylor, The Netherlands
Cecilia Torres, Illinois Human Rights Commission, United States Leila Trabelsi, Canada
Angel Trejo Munguía, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom Graziela Trindade da Cruz, Timor-Leste
Anne-Marie Tupuola-Plunkett, United States Rita Uwasan, Nigeria
Danae van der Straten Ponthoz, Global Survivors Fund, Switzerland Neelmani Verma, International Criminal Court Bar Association Margaret Victor, South Africa
Dr. Deepshikha Vijh, Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy, United States
Claudio Visco, United States, United Kingdom
Patricia Viseur Sellers, University of Oxford, Belgium
Chrysi Vorloou, Law School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece Yuyun Wahyuningrum, Indonesia
Hadi Wardoyo, Indonesia
Adarsh K. Warman, India
Rizky Wibisono, Indonesia
Karolina Wierczyńska, ILS PAS, Poland
Myra Williamson, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand Mengistu Worku, Ethiopia
Muskan Yadav, India
Alyssa Yamamoto, End Gender Apartheid Campaign, United States
Gaisu Yari, Malala Fund, United States
Najet Zammouri, Tunisian Human Rights League, Tunisia
Magda Zenon, Mediterranean Women Mediators Network, Cyprus Mohamed Al-Harbi, Yemen
