New York, October 10, 2024, George Shadrack Kamanda, Diplomatic and Legal Adviser of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the United Nations, delivered a powerful statement on behalf of a cross-regional group of member states at the Sixth Committee’s deliberations on Agenda Item 80: Crimes Against Humanity. The address, which took place at the UN headquarters, during the UN Sixth (Legal) Committee’s plenary session reiterated the international community’s call for concerted action to prevent and punish crimes against humanity.
Speaking on behalf of 86 countries, including Sierra Leone, the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and a wide range of other nations, Mr, Kamanda emphasized the ongoing challenge of ensuring justice for all. He acknowledged that despite the promises made over 75 years ago after World War II, many people around the world still endure conditions that violate their fundamental rights.
“We stand at a crossroads,” Kamanda emphasized. “If we allow impunity for international crimes to continue to underminine justice, we risk questioning the very foundation of our shared humanity.”
Mr, Kamanda stressed the need for a collective, inclusive legal framework that would hold perpetrators accountable for crimes against humanity. He urged the international community to act with urgency, highlighting that preventing these heinous acts is a moral and legal obligation that nations must uphold.
Reflecting on the atrocities of the past, including genocide and other crimes fitting the definition of crimes against humanity, Kamanda called for decisive action. He urged the international community to prioritize the adoption of a convention on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity, similar to the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.
“A convention on crimes against humanity would strengthen the prevention and punishment of such crimes at the national level, establish obligations for states to cooperate, and provide a new legal basis for extradition and mutual legal assistance,” Mr, Kamanda stated.
The Sierra Leonean representative commended the progress made in the UN Sixth (Legal) Committee over the past two years, noting the productive legal dialogue that had taken place on the draft articles of the International Law Commission on crimes against humanity. He called for continued constructive engagement among member states to reach a consensus on adopting a draft resolution that would lead to a United Nations Conference of Plenipotentiaries on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity.
Mr, Kamanda concluded by urging all member states to work together in good faith to ensure a decision on this critical issue is reached during this session (79th session) of the General Assembly.
This statement reinforces Sierra Leone’s dedication to strengthening global efforts to end impunity for crimes against humanity, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in upholding justice and peace.
