India has called for explicitly recognising terrorism and its sponsorship as crimes against humanity, emphasizing the need for justice and accountability at the global level.
“We emphasise that any definition of crimes against humanity must explicitly capture the heinous crimes and atrocities perpetrated by terrorists and their sponsors,” BJP MP S Phangnon Konyak told the General Assembly’s Legal Committee on Monday.
“Justice and accountability demand that such acts are not overlooked,” she added during discussions on crimes against humanity.
Konyak, who represents Nagaland in the Rajya Sabha, stressed that any proposed international convention to prevent and punish crimes against humanity must include terrorism while respecting national sovereignty and the diversity of legal systems.
“Nations have the primary responsibility and obligation to ensure justice and accountability for the most egregious violations of human rights and mass atrocities committed either in their territory or by their nationals,” she said. She added that any convention should be “consistent with the Charter of the United Nations and the universally recognised principles of international law,” warning that failure to do so could result in “fragmentation and conflict with existing legal norms.”
The draft convention was prepared by the International Law Commission, and the General Assembly has scheduled international meetings in 2028 and 2029 to negotiate a treaty on crimes against humanity. Konyak noted that the draft draws inspiration from the Rome Statute, which established the International Criminal Court, but highlighted that India and several other nations, including permanent Security Council members, have reservations and are not parties to it. She also pointed to concerns about the politicisation of the International Criminal Court raised by multiple countries.
After her statement, Konyak shared on social media, “It was an honour to deliver India’s statement at the Sixth Committee on Crimes Against Humanity at the United Nations. I reiterated that States bear the primary responsibility and obligation to ensure justice and accountability for egregious violations of human rights and mass atrocities committed either in their territory or by their nationals. Any legally binding treaty must give due regard to the diversity of legal systems and complement existing mechanisms, such as the International Criminal Court, without undermining them.”
She further emphasized a victim-centered approach, ensuring access to justice, remedies, and reparation. Cooperation among states, including mutual legal assistance, extradition, and technical support, is essential for implementing international obligations. Konyak concluded by reaffirming India’s commitment to a rules-based international order, justice, and accountability.