Maldives calls for a fifth international crime of ecocide

"Please find below a press release from the Maldives government, which we are sharing on their behalf."

The Republic of Maldives, in its official statement to the Assembly of States Parties in The Hague has asserted its support for a fifth international crime of ecocide. The statement issued by the island nation, which has been a State Party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) since 2011, read; “We believe the time is ripe to consider an amendment to the Rome Statute that would criminalise acts that amount to ecocide.”

The statement was issued by Mr. Ahmed Saleem, Member of Parliament and Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environment. In it he emphasized the life-or-death situation faced by his people and was critical of the lack of international action on climate change. “A decade has passed since we reminded the Security Council that a mean sea-level rise of two metres would suffice to virtually submerge the entire Maldives under water. Yet, we see no serious efforts on the part of large emitting countries to save humanity from the impending climate change catastrophe. We see little or no concrete action at multilateral level to bring about transformative changes necessary to prevent the repercussions of climate change. We are gravely concerned that this inaction will ultimately lead to the death of nations such as ours.”

The Maldives, a low laying island nation of about 1200 islands in the middle of Indian Ocean, has long been a strong advocate on climate change issues. Its serious concern over the impact of climate change was brought to global attention a decade ago, in 2009, when the country’s then President, Mohamed Nasheed, together with his cabinet ministers, held the world’s first underwater cabinet meeting. This was, a symbolic cry for help over rising sea levels that causes an existential threat to the tropical archipelagic nation.

Maldives has been reiterating the urgent need to act swiftly on the issue of climate change at many international forums. Its government remains steadfast in addressing climate change issues and bringing the matter to the international frontline. At the Blue Leaders Call to Action on Ocean and Climate, held in New York this September, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih strongly urged world leaders to support the conclusion of a robust new international agreement in 2020, for the conservation and management of high seas to prevent adverse environmental effects.

Highlighting the impact of climate change and its long term effect and threat to humanity, the country’s Foreign Minister, Abdulla Shahid, in a statement given to Climate Diplomacy, reminded the world that, small island states may be the first to feel the impacts of climate change, but should we fail to unite in this fight, its impacts will reach bigger, more developed countries.

Noting his disappointment with the speed in which international communities are dealing with climate action, Hon. Ahmed Saleem remarked during this week’s Assembly: “My country, along with other environmentally vulnerable states has waited a long time, hoping that concrete steps will be taken at an international level to address this imminent climate emergency which our people face.” He further noted that “it is time justice for climate change victims be recognised as part and parcel of the international criminal justice system.”

The Maldives’ full statement is visible on the ICC website

IMAGE Mr. Ahmed Saleem, Member of Parliament and Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Climate Change and Environment.