Reflections On Incorporating Ecocide Into The Rome Statute

International criminal law should be based on stability and open continuously.This is the due meaning of the international criminal law.Ecocide seriously infringes the common order and interests of the international community,which undoubtedly poses a threat to the security and development of all mankind.Under the current international legal framework,the issue of large-scale environmental damage is not fully solved.In order to address this issue,it might be necessary to include the ecocide(crime)in the Rome Statute.The first chapter analyzes the origin of the concept of ecocide,the current provisions of the Rome Statute,and relevant investigations conducted by the International Criminal Court(“ICC”).Then the second and third chapters consider two methods of the inclusion of ecocide within the Rome Statute: one way is to prosecute ecocide as crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute,and the second way is to establish a fifth international crime.The Rome Statute is based on the principle of individual responsibility,but for ecological and environmental issues,it seems that it is not enough to only punish individuals.States and companies might also bear criminal responsibility for their wrongful acts.The establishment of ecocide crime faces many challenges,such as political games between countries over their own interests and the difficulty of evidences.It is still hoped that governments,non-governmental international organizations,civil society and other relevant stakeholders will continue to call on law and policy makers to establish the crime of ecocide to gradually improve the Rome Statute.