'End ecocide' initiative launch
15th January 2013,
An "End Ecocide in Europe" initiative will be launched in the European Parliament in Brussels on 22 January, the start of an attempt to collect 1m signatures and make ecocide a crime.
PRESS RELEASE: EUROPEAN CITIZENS' INITIATIVE TO END ECOCIDE IN EUROPE LAUNCH IN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
END ECOCIDE IN EUROPE,
22ND JANUARY 2013, 19.00-19.30
ROOM ASP 5E1 EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, BRUSSELS
CO–HOSTS: KEITH TAYLOR (GREENS/EFA, UK), EVA JOLY (GREENS/EFA, FRANCE) AND JO LEINEN (S&D, GERMANY).
GUEST SPEAKER: POLLY HIGGINS, BARRISTER AND AWARD WINNING AUTHOR, EXPERT ADVISER ON THE LAW OF ECOCIDE
The launch of the European Citizens' Initiative "End Ecocide in Europe" will take place in the European Parliament in Brussels on 22 January 2013. This initiative, led by a committee of 11 citizens from nine European countries, aims at ending ecocide, which is the extensive damage to, destruction of, or loss of ecosystems. The event marks the beginning of a significant process; in 1 year the initiative must collect 1 million signatures after which Ecocide may be made a crime in the European Union.
The citizens' proposal calls for a new EU law prohibiting ecocide on European territory and prohibiting ecocide committed by a European company or by a European citizen in Europe or elsewhere. It also bans the import of products based on ecocide onto the EU. The citizens are convinced that this is the time to introduce new standards into European law. Changing the legal framework can facilitate the shift towards a sustainable society and economy.
This European Citizens' Initiative is inspired by Polly Higgins' proposal to amend the Rome Statue and make Ecocide the fifth international crime against peace. The launch will be co-hosted by Keith Taylor (Greens/EFA, UK), Eva Joly (Greens/EFA, France) and Jo Leinen (S&D, Germany) who will all publicly give the first signatures. Polly will join the event as distinguished guest speaker.
ENDS
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NOTES TO EDITORS
The Law of Ecocide: Lawyer Polly Higgins proposed the law of Ecocide into the UN in April 2010. The Law of Ecocide will create a legal duty of care upon CEOs and heads of State to be legally responsible for the prevention of ecocide. A draft Ecocide Act has been written (published in Earth is our Business) and a Government Concept Paper, Closing the door to dangerous industrial activity, has been submitted to all governments.
The European Citizens' Initiative to End Ecocide: The European Citizens' Initiative aims at gathering the support of 1 million Europeans to prohibit ecocide in Europe, by European citizens or by European companies in one year. If the initiative is successful, the Commission will have to consider the proposal and it might be transformed into EU law.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
PLEASE VISIT http://endecocide.eu/ and www.eradicatingecocide.com
VIEW THE ECOCIDE DIRECTIVE http://ec.europa.eu/citizens-initiative/public/initiatives/ongoing/details/2012/000012
PLEASE CONTACT
Valérie Cabanes
Spokesperson ECI "End Ecocide in Europe"
valerie@endecocide.eu
RSVP TO ATTEND THE LAUNCH
Send your RSVP to viktoria@endecocide.eu blog comments powered by Disqus
