DRC Joins Pacific Island Nations In Call For An International Crime Of Ecocide
Photo: Ève Bazaiba, Minister for the Environment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Ralph Regenvanu, Special Envoy for Climate Change and Environment for the Republic of Vanuatu, at COP16 in Colombia, October 2024.
Summary:
DRC becomes first African nation to formally endorse the creation of an international crime of ecocide.
Support follows September 2024 proposal from Pacific nations to add ecocide to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.
Ecocide legislation advancing in the EU, Belgium, and multiple nations worldwide.
In a historic statement at the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has become the first African nation to declare its support for establishing ecocide as an international crime. This endorsement aligns with a formal proposal from Vanuatu, Fiji, and Samoa to amend the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), reflecting the growing global momentum to secure accountability in international law for the most severe crimes against nature.
This statement positions the DRC within a growing international community dedicated to strengthening environmental protection at the highest legal level. Ecocide legislation aims to prevent harm by holding those in the most senior positions of power—whether in the private sector or government—criminally accountable for decisions that lead directly to mass environmental destruction.
The concept of ecocide law is gaining traction worldwide. The European Union marked a pivotal moment in November 2023 by addressing 'conduct comparable to ecocide' in its newly revised Environmental Crimes Directive. Additionally, in February 2024, Belgium introduced national ecocide legislation, with proposed bills also progressing in the Netherlands, Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Italy, and Scotland.
In a statement given at a dedicated press conference, the DRC Minister of the Environment, Ms. Eve Bazaiba, stated: "I would really like the Democratic Republic of Congo, when there is a violation of ecosystems, for those responsible to be punished and held accountable for their actions, and for the destruction of ecosystems to be made a crime recognised under Article 7 of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court."
With its vast rainforests and exceptional biodiversity, the central African nation faces serious environmental threats including from deforestation, illegal mining, and climate change. “By supporting this initiative, we protect our natural heritage and send a clear message that environmental crimes will not go unpunished,” said the Minister.
The Minister also emphasised the importance of linking this legal framework to broader biodiversity protection goals, insisting that the recognition of the crime of ecocide would strengthen global commitments made under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This is particularly important for Central African countries like the DRC, which are experiencing the full brunt of climate and ecological crises.
A recording of the statement from DRC Minister of the Environment, Ms. Eve Bazaiba, can be found here.
Ralph Regenvanu, Special Envoy for Climate Change and Environment from Vanuatu, said: “The DRC's support for the historic proposal from Vanuatu, Fiji, and Samoa represents a decisive milestone in the global mission towards the recognition of ecocide. This gesture not only demonstrates remarkable solidarity from a Central African state towards vulnerable island nations in the Pacific but also a firm commitment to environmental justice at the international level.”
Jojo Mehta, Co-Founder & CEO of Stop Ecocide International, said: “By supporting the recognition of ecocide as an international crime, the DRC is showing the way forward for other African nations. This strong stance sends a clear message: protecting our planet and those that come after us must become a global priority.”
Patricia Willocq, Francophone Countries Director at Stop Ecocide International, said: “By supporting the recognition of ecocide as an international crime, the DRC is not only protecting its unique ecosystems but also future generations. This historic commitment reflects a determination to ensure that the rights of nature are respected and enshrined in international law.”