… Bangladesh urges strong UN convention to punish crimes against humanity
Bangladesh has called for a strong international convention to prevent and punish crimes against humanity, while ensuring special protection for victims and support for countries hosting survivors of such atrocities.
Bangladesh delegate Muhammad Nawshad Zamir made the call while addressing the Sixth Committee of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, according to a message received here today.
He proposed three key provisions for the proposed convention, including international cooperation in preserving evidence and protecting witnesses in countries receiving victims of crimes against humanity.
Bangladesh also called for comprehensive support for survivors, including access to justice at national and international levels, as well as greater international solidarity in sharing the burden borne by host countries.
Drawing on Bangladesh’s experience of sheltering more than one million forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar, Zamir said countries hosting victims must be fully integrated into international accountability mechanisms.
He said receiving states often shoulder enormous humanitarian, economic and social responsibilities while also preserving evidence and facilitating access to victims and witnesses.
Referring to Bangladesh’s 2024 uprising, Zamir cited a United Nations report estimating that up to 1,400 people, including children, were killed and calling for investigations into possible crimes against humanity.
Bangladesh also advocated universal jurisdiction and stronger extradition mechanisms to ensure that perpetrators cannot evade accountability by crossing national borders.
It stressed that the proposed convention must place particular emphasis on prevention and justice for women and children, who are often disproportionately affected by widespread or systematic violence.
Zamir said the convention should complement, rather than undermine, the Rome Statute and must safeguard the independence of the International Criminal Court.
Bangladesh also called for a robust legal instrument capable of closing existing accountability gaps and strengthening international cooperation against impunity.
“A convention diluted until it offends no one will protect no one,” Zamir said.
