STATEMENT BY MS AMANDA CHONG, COUNSELLOR (LEGAL), PERMANENT MISSION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE TO THE UNITED NATIONS, ON AGENDA ITEM 79, ON UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE OF PLENIPOTENTIARIES ON PREVENTION AND PUNISHMENT OF CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY,

SIXTH COMMITTEE,
12 OCTOBER 2026

Madam Chair,

1                  Thank you for giving me the floor.

2                  Crimes against humanity are among the most serious crimes of concern to the international community. It is imperative that the international community works together to end impunity for perpetrators and provide justice for victims.

3                  Singapore has continued to contribute constructively to the process towards the elaboration of a convention on the prevention and punishment of crimes against humanity. We participated actively in the first session of the Preparatory Committee in January this year, including in the working group discussions on the substance of the International Law Commission’s draft articles. We also submitted our proposals for amendments to the draft articles in April this year.

4                  The discussions at the first session of the Preparatory Committee, as well as the proposals for amendments submitted by Member States, demonstrate that there remain complex issues that require serious and careful consideration, reflecting the gravity of the topic and taking into account the respective views of Member States. They also reflect the commitment of many delegations to an inclusive and constructive process, to develop outcomes through consensus that will strengthen accountability and advance international law.

5                  Singapore’s proposals seek to enhance the clarity and legal certainty of the draft articles. These include proposed clarifications to the provisions on national jurisdiction, including the scope of the additional treaty-based jurisdiction under draft article 7(2), and the exercise of jurisdiction beyond the scope of the convention under draft article 7(3). We also discussed with other delegations the importance of ensuring that the draft articles are interpreted in accordance with established obligations and principles of international law. In this regard, Singapore and other Member States emphasised that draft article 6(5) is important to address substantive criminal responsibility. It does not affect any procedural immunity that a foreign State official may enjoy before a national criminal jurisdiction under conventional or customary international law. We look forward to further in-depth exchanges on the various proposals submitted by delegations, with a view to improving and clarifying the draft articles to allow their effective implementation across different national legal systems.

6                  Singapore believes it is important that the process and substantive outcomes of the Conference of Plenipotentiaries are consensus-driven, to achieve a convention that gains wide acceptance and implementation, and to allow international law to develop in a manner that is inclusive and unfragmented. Singapore believes that continued engagement, flexibility and compromise will be essential to bridging differences among Member States and achieving consensus.

7                  Singapore looks forward to continuing to work constructively and collaboratively with all other delegations, including at the second session of the Preparatory Committee next year, towards robust, consensus-based outcomes.

8                  Thank you for your attention.