Politics, prayer & progress
Over 70 world leaders pledge to “strengthen national and international law enforcement” to protect biodiversity
In Belgium, newly formed government pledges to “take diplomatic action to halt ecocide crime” - full info HERE
In Sweden, two motions calling for ecocide law are submitted to parliament; Stop Ecocide meets with Elders of original nations, Youth activists, Swedish politicians and a Catholic cardinal - more info HERE
International alliance of parliamentarians launched by MEP
… and we’re very excited to announce that the Stop Ecocide website is now available in both Portuguese and French!
Leaders Pledge for Nature
Launched in the run-up to the UN Biodiversity summit this year, the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature has been signed by 78 heads of state and sets out intentions for halting biodiversity loss, including to “ensure effective, proportionate and dissuasive legal frameworks [and] strengthen national and international law enforcement”. This is a significant step in the right direction (and gives us a clear list of potential supporters for ecocide law)
Belgian Government’s ecocide crime pledge
A year and a half after elections in 2019, the Belgian government finally reached its new form (a 7 party coalition) at the start of this month with a 4-year programme in place. For the first time in an official government programme, ecocide law featured specifically, with pledges to investigate inclusion in Belgium’s penal code, and to “research and take diplomatic initiatives aimed at halting the crime of ecocide, which is to say the conscious destruction of ecosystems” at the international level. Strong and welcome words.
Sweden to discuss ecocide Law
Not one but two motions calling for ecocide law have been submitted to the Swedish parliament in recent weeks - one from the Left Party and one from the Green & Social Democrat parties. In both cases, the government is invited to take the lead in amending international law to include the crime of ecocide.
Historic meeting in Stockholm
Hosted by parliamentarian Rebecka Le Moine in the Swedish parliament building, a remarkable gathering took place on 8th October. Elders from the Mother Earth Delegation of United Original (Indigenous) Nations spoke of the roots of colonial domination, movingly acknowledged by Sweden’s Catholic cardinal; youth activists addressed the pain of growing up in the resulting global ecological crisis, while our co-founder Jojo Mehta along with End Ecocide Sweden’s Pella Thiel set out the potential of ecocide law to help mend our broken relationship with nature and protect the future of life on Earth. A potent mix, which you can witness in this online webinar full version (held the previous day).
Watch two minute summary film here.
Parliamentarians join forces
MEP Marie Toussaint has launched an initiative connecting parliamentarians around the world in a coalition for the recognition of ecocide crime. Beginning with 10 parliamentarians from Brazil to Belgium, we think this group is set to grow fast, and look forward to working together on progressing ecocide law.
New languages now live!
Stop Ecocide is now available in both Portuguese and French.
We’re delighted to welcome the Portuguese campaign team, already in lively discussion with parliamentarians in Lisbon.
The new French website is an important bridge to Francophone communities worldwide in France, Canada and many other countries from Africa to the Pacific.
We’ll be collaborating on a well-established Facebook page and growing a new Twitter platform in French too.
What to share this month:
Paul McCartney and Princess Esmeralda of Belgium have signed up as Earth Protectors - why not encourage your networks to do the same? They can sign our international petition and then continue to join as an Earth Protector! Available now in English, Spanish, Dutch, French, Portuguese, Italian, German, Brazilian Portuguese
Change the law, protect the Earth
with love and unshakeable persistence,
The Stop Ecocide Team