LAW AND POLICY ON ECOCIDE AND GENOCIDE: AN IMPERATIVE ROAD TO AMEND THE ROME STATUTE OF INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT*

Abstract

Ecocide is the act of killing in the environment that can lead to many deaths. These acts should result to environmental damage for them to be considered an international crime equivalent to genocide. This kind of crime could be connected with climate change due to issue like major storm. This paper analyzed situations of ecocide in the pacific island of Vanuatu that led to calls by stakeholders to equalize these situations that involved massive killings genocide. We are of the view that since the acts of killing by environmental forces have resulted to the level of killing occasioned by genocide at international level, there is need to treat ecocide as genocide is treated. However, since ecocide occurred at international level which can only be punished by international criminal court as stated, stipulated and provided for in the Rome Statute. Trial and punishment of criminals thereto can be possible but the offence must be provided and defined by the statute. We recommend that amendment to the Rome Statute of International Criminal Court to provide for this crime that is so heinous like genocide for the sake of international criminal justice. This is the thrust of this paper.