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https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/bolsonaro-should-be-tried-crimes-against-humanity-indigenous-leaders-say-n1272193>
"Bolsonaro’s rampant deforestation of the Amazon, and the threat posed by
climate change, have prompted world leaders like Pope Francis and French
President Emmanuel Macron to support a campaign for a new international crime
called “ecocide,” which would outlaw widespread environmental destruction.
Supporters cite Bolsonaro’s actions in the Amazon as a prime example of ecocide
happening in real time.
The campaign for an ecocide crime is still in the early stages, though, and for
now, the International Criminal Court’s jurisdiction is limited to genocide,
war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of aggression. When it comes to
environmental crimes, the court can only prosecute those that occur during
wartime. That means the Brazilian activists’ request for the court to
investigate Bolsonaro could be a long shot, legal experts say, especially
because national governments have long had control over natural resources
within their borders.
But there are also signs that give the activists hope. Some legal analysts
think Karim Asad Ahmad Khan, who took over as the court’s new prosecutor on
June 16, may consider authorizing the court’s first investigation related to
environmental destruction. That’s because Bolsonaro’s alleged crimes are so
closely related to the Amazon’s deforestation. Activists and environmentalists
hope a decision will come during Khan’s first weeks in office, which coincides
with the start of the Amazon’s dry season, when the rainforest is susceptible
to fires.
Whatever Khan decides, the Bolsonaro case presents the international court with
a novel way to advance legal thinking about environmental destruction and how
deforestation can be linked to crimes against humanity, defined legally as
widespread or systematic attacks against civilians."
Via Doug Senko.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
