Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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170. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on support for ecocide legislation both internationally and nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48853/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the initiative launched last year by the Independent Expert Panel for the Legal Definition of Ecocide. The Panel proposes the creation of a new international crime ‘ecocide’, together with a definition of the crime which could serve as the basis for consideration of an amendment to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The purpose of such an amendment would be to bring the new crime within the jurisdiction of the Court.

As with all proposed amendments to the Rome Statute, it is for States Parties individually to assess the merits of the proposal in the first instance. If there is sufficient support for such a proposal a formal amendment can be considered by the Assembly of States Parties to the Rome Statue.

I have followed this initiative with interest since the publication of the Panel's proposal last year. Consideration of the proposal by States is still at an early stages and requires careful analysis. My officials will also continue to engage in discussions on the important implications of this proposal with our international partners, both within the EU and with other States Parties to the Rome Statute.