🌍A Fifth Crime of Ecocide: Opening Considerations

We are delighted to share the link to the recording of the incredible event organised by Stop Ecocide International, hosted by the Republic of Vanuatu, Samoa, Fiji, and the Democratic Republic of Congo and co-organised by Climate Counsel and the UCLA Law Promise Institute Europe.

🌍Fifth Crime of Ecocide: Opening Considerations,” held on Tuesday, December 3rd.

Over 500 people tuned in online!

❤️❤️❤️

If you didn’t catch it live or would like to re-watch, the full event is now available to watch in English

and French . It will also be available shortly in Spanish.

Tuesday's official side event at the 23rd Session of the Assembly of States Parties 𝐀 𝐅𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞: 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, was a meaningful moment for advancing the recognition of ecocide as an international crime. With voices from across the globe, the discussion illuminated the critical need to protect our planet and ensure justice for those harmed by environmental destruction, but most of all a strong feeling of hope that ecocide will be adapted as the fifth international crime and will make a difference for the future of our planet and it’s people(s).

Here are just a few of the impactful reflections from the distinguished speakers:

📜 ICC Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan:
"𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦, 𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥, 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘵𝘦."

🌳 The Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo emphasized the transformative impact ecocide law could have on protecting the vital forests of Congo. He also said that the adaptation of ecocide as a crime would be a crucial step to guide humanity towards a co-existence with nature.

🕰️​ Philippe Sands KC drew inspiration from Rafael Lemkin’s fight to criminalize genocide:
About amending the statute to include ecocide he said:
“𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯—𝘐 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘦, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘥𝘰𝘶𝘣𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯."

⚖️ Professor Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh presented arguments on why states might be legally obliged to criminalize ecocide, as a serious violation of human rights as well as to prevent the jus cogens obligation not to destroy the environment.

💡 Debbie Buyaki (Youth for Ecocide Law) spoke powerfully to the intergenerational stakes:
"𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘤𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘵—𝘭𝘦𝘵’𝘴 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵."

💚 Miss Buyaki also moved the room with a poignant moment of silence, urging attendees to “hear the heartbeat of the planet.”

The global movement for ecocide law is growing stronger. As discussions progress, we remain committed to supporting initiatives that address the intersection of environmental justice, human rights, and international peace and security.

Thank you to the Republic of Vanuatu, Samoa, Fiji, and the Democratic Republic of Congo for hosting this crucial conversation and to all the partners and participants who contributed with their expertise.