Türk Hails Preparatory Talks Toward Treaty On Crimes Against Humanity, Urges AmbitionGENEVA (30 January 2026) – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk today welcomed ongoing preparatory talks toward an international treaty on crimes against humanity. “This is a once in a generation opportunity to advance prevention and accountability for crimes against humanity. Türk urged delegates to reflect on how the treaty can provide for the best possible operationalization of the Convention, for example through a treaty body. Unlike war crimes that occur only during situations of armed conflict, crimes against humanity can occur both in war and in peacetime. Additionally, unlike war crimes and the crime of genocide, crimes against humanity and associated State obligations to repress and prevent them are so far not yet codified in a standalone international treaty.