Sixth Committee

As the Sixth Committee (Legal) today concluded its debate on the report of the International Law Commission, delegates commended the Commission for its productive session, and offered closing remarks and concerns for the future work of the Commission and work of the Committee, which, it was said, could successfully transform outstanding topics into productive “legal tools” for the international community.

Proceeding with its debate on the International Law Commission report, the Sixth Committee today discussed the role of the “most-favoured-nation” clause in international trade law and investment treaties and called for the creation of relevant guidelines, which would be of practical utility to States.

As the Sixth Committee today continued its annual consideration of the International Law Commission report, delegates tackled, among others, the complex topic of “immunity of State officials from foreign criminal jurisdiction”, seeking to clarify the balance between the need to ensure stability in international relations and to avoid impunity from grave crimes.

The Sixth Committee (Legal) today turned its focus from the second group of topics within the International Law Commission report to the third group, and heard from Special Rapporteurs on the “expulsion of aliens” and the “protection of persons in the event of disasters” that the development of international legal instruments on these matters was both timely and relevant.

As the Sixth Committee continued its debate on the second part of the annual consideration of the International Law Commission report, delegates, in the service of strengthening international law, sought to clarify and improve the several sets of draft articles being discussed.

As the Sixth Committee concluded its debate on the first group of topics contained in the International Law Commission’s report and moved to its second group — “effects of armed conflicts on treaties”, “expulsion of aliens” and “protection of persons in the event of disasters” — the delegate of Colombia said the Commission’s draft articles on “protection of persons” were among the Commission’s most practical and efficient areas of work.

As the Sixth Committee (Legal) today resumed its consideration of the report of the International Law Commission, delegations lauded the recently finalized Guide to Practice on reservations to treaties as a sound legal reference for international law practitioners.

As the Sixth Committee continued its annual discussion of the report of the International Law Commission, delegations pointed out that in the past five years, the Commission had finalized three significant chapters of work: on reservations to treaties, the responsibility of international organizations, and the effect of armed conflicts on treaties.

Before the Sixth Committee (Legal) began its annual review of the report of the International Law Commission today, its Chairman, Hernán Salinas Burgos (Chile), requested a moment of silence on the recent death of Justice Antonio Cassese.

The Sixth Committee (Legal) met this afternoon to consider oral reports by the Chairpersons of two working groups, as well as a draft resolution on request of observer status in the General Assembly.