Holy See, with caveats, welcomes progress toward treaty on crimes against humanity (Holy See Mission)

Archbishop Christophe-Zakhia El-Kassis, the Holy See's permanent observer to the United Nations, expressed support for progress toward an international treaty on crimes against humanity during a UN committee meeting. While welcoming the development, the archbishop presented four specific conditions for the treaty.

The Holy See supports maintaining the definition of gender found in Article 7(3) of the Rome Statute, which refers to male and female sexes, and the existing definition of forced pregnancy. Archbishop El-Kassis also stated that no person should be extradited to a jurisdiction where they face the death penalty or the risk of torture and cruel or degrading treatment.

The archbishop noted that the treaty must recognize the rights of victims to receive compensation, rehabilitation, and reintegration assistance. Additionally, he emphasized that justice must respect the dignity of the accused through due process, the presumption of innocence, impartial judges, and effective defense rights. He added that penalties should be proportionate and allow for reconciliation.