On 20th January 2021 in an amendment to its report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World, the European Parliament stated that biodiversity and human rights are interlinked and interdependent, and that it is the obligation of states to protect the biodiversity on which those rights depend, including by providing for the participation of citizens in biodiversity-related decisions and providing access to effective remedies in cases of biodiversity loss and degradation.  It went on to express support for efforts at international level in relation to environmental crimes and in this regard, encourage the EU and the Member States to promote the recognition of ecocide as an international crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Luxembourg has stated that they are ready to support the recognition of Ecocide in European and international law and Belgium, France, and Spain have all resolved to ‘examine the possibilities’ for such legislation.

Ireland should join other EU States in supporting this law at International Level and empowering their citizens by giving them access to effective remedies in cases of biodiversity loss and degradation