Statement by
Mr. Mohammad Ghorbanpour
First Secretary
Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations
Before the Sixth Committee of the 77th Session of the UNGA
On Agenda item 78: “Prevention and punishment of Crimes against Humanity”
New York, 10 October 2022
In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.
Mr. Chairperson,
My delegation extends its appreciation to the International Law Commission (ILC) for its work in providing the draft articles on the “Prevention and Punishment of Crimes against Humanity” contained in the report of the ILC on the work of its seventy-first session (A/74/10) and reaffirms the Islamic Republic of Iran’s unwavering commitment to the prevention and punishment of this heinous crime.
With respect to the draft articles presented to the Sixth Committee, my delegation has expressed its comments during previous sessions. While reemphasizing these comments, I would like to highlight my delegation’s approach going forward.
Recognizing that the crime against humanity is a serious crime under international law that affects the entire international community, confronting such a heinous crime also requires collective and unanimous action by the entire international community. The current fragmentation of views on both the draft Articles as well as the recommendation of the ILC concerning the modalities on the fate of the draft simply prevent a united response to the perpetrators of this crime as well as its prevention.
In addition, attempts to incorporate definitions emanating from non-universal instruments as well as national laws and practices in the context of progressive development, have stymied the process by preventing Member States from further reaching consensus.
We acknowledge that the Committee was not able to formulate a method to work forward in addressing these draft articles last year for a number of reasons. We believe that this can be overcome after all concerns and expectations are addressed thoroughly and equally with a high spirit of consensus and unanimity.
Mr. Chairperson,
My delegation takes note of the several requests made by the Member States to conduct further holistic and substantive consideration for the draft articles and ensure its consistency with their national laws. While the Committee is considered the appropriate forum, therefore, my delegation encourages the Committee to continue its deliberations on this agenda item, including moving forward with a holistic approach regarding all existing products of the ILC that are pending before the Sixth Committee. In addition, my delegation expresses its dissatisfaction regarding the selectivity of the ILC’s products wherein a number of them are pending in this Committee years before the submission of the draft articles on Crimes Against Humanity.
Thank you