New York, 13 October 2026: Bangladesh on Tuesday called for a strong international convention to prevent and punish crimes against humanity, urging special recognition and support for countries hosting victims of such atrocities.
Addressing the Sixth Committee of the 81st United Nations General Assembly, Bangladesh delegate Muhammad Nawshad Zamir proposed three key provisions for the convention: cooperation in preserving evidence and protecting witnesses in receiving States; support for survivors, including access to justice at national and international
levels; and international solidarity in sharing the burden borne by host countries.
Citing Bangladesh’s experience sheltering over one million Rohingya forcibly displaced from Myanmar, Zamir stressed that countries receiving victims must be integral to international accountability mechanisms.
Referring to Bangladesh’s 2024 uprising, he cited a UN report estimating that up to 1,400 people were killed including children and calling for investigations into possible crimes against humanity.
Bangladesh also advocated universal jurisdiction, stronger extradition mechanisms and an end to impunity, while emphasizing prevention and justice for women and children.
Zamir urged that the convention complement the Rome Statute and uphold the International Criminal Court’s independence.
“A convention diluted until it offends no one will protect no one,” he warned.
