2012:08 ECOCIDE AN INTERNATIONAL CRIME
Whereas 1
the United Nations holds that Genocide, Crimes Against Humanity, War Crimes and Crimes of Aggression are considered “Crimes Against Peace” and the International Criminal Court holds individuals responsible for these acts; and
Whereas 2
extensive destruction of the environment or loss of ecosystems in a given territory, can involve significant disruption or harm to human life, natural resources or other assets, severely diminishing the peaceful enjoyment of that territory by its inhabitants and can lead to resource wars; and
Whereas 3
there is growing recognition of the need for enforceable, legally binding mechanisms in national and international law to hold to account perpetrators of long term severe damage to the environment and to set global standards of accountability for individuals within corporations who are responsible for such damage; and
Whereas 4
many in the environmental and legal communities are of the opinion that widespread environmental destruction is ecocide and since it can lead to war, the United Nations should consider it a ‘crime against peace” and hold its perpetrators accountable before the International Criminal Court; therefore be it
Resolved 1
that the National Council of Women of Canada adopt as policy, support for acceptance by the United Nations of “ecocide” as an international crime against peace; and be it further
Resolved 2
that the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada to urge the United Nations to accept “ecocide” as an international crime against peace.