Case Explained: Crimes Against Humanity: the Liability of Legal Persons – Legal Perspective

After years of discussion, the United Nations General Assembly has launched formal negotiations toward a Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of Crimes Against Humanity. States are now engaged in a central phase of this process, which will lead to a plenipotentiary conference expected to shape the Convention’s final content in 2029.

TRIAL International is actively engaged at this critical moment.

Indeed, since late 2023, we have been contributing legal expertise and advocacy to the UN process through sustained engagement with States, participation in key meetings and side events, and the co-publication of targeted legal analyses to inform negotiations. Our work focuses on ensuring that the future Convention is not only adopted, but effective in practice.

In particular, TRIAL International is spearheading civil-society advocacy on one of the Convention’s key substantive issues: the responsibility of legal persons for crimes against humanity. To support this work, we have published a briefing paper (under this QR-Code) presenting concrete recommendations to States and inviting public endorsement.

Crimes against humanity are not committed by individuals alone: corporate actors and other legal persons have enabled, facilitated, or profited from these crimes. The negotiations now underway will determine how crimes against humanity are prevented and punished in the future.

Support from our donors is crucial at this stage: by standing with us, you help strengthen the foundations of the international justice architecture, ensuring that this historic treaty can support accountability for crimes against humanity in the decades to come.