Environmental Crimes

Environmental international crimes are international crimes (such as war crimes, crimes against humanity, torture, genocide) committed by means of, or resulting in, environmental damage.

In the context of conflict, post-conflict or volatile situations those crimes have a particular impact, both on the environment itself and on human health. The interdependency between human rights and the environment has long been recognized. However, investigation and prosecution of those crimes have not, until recently, been prioritized. Cases tackling the environmental impact of international crimes are still rare – both at the national and international level – while jurisprudence is needed to create solid precedents to strengthen the fight against impunity.

This gap can be explained by several factors such as the inadequacy of the existing international and domestic legal frameworks, the difficulties in holding the different types of actors accountable (not only individuals but equally so economic actors and States), as well as lack of resources and specific expertise for documentation and investigation.

TRIAL International pursues strategic litigation and accountability actions under the existing legal regimes protecting the environment and repressing international crimes to hold perpetrators accountable for conducts such as deforestation, pillaging, pollution, and environmental degradation when constituting international crimes. The organization recognizes that protecting the environment is crucial to preserving peace, security, and human rights globally.

TRIAL international delivers trainings and mentoring sessions to civil society organizations in the documentation and litigation of such crimes. The organization is equally committed to develop tools and guidance to support the documentation of these crimes in line with international standards.

Finally, TRIAL International is advocating to increase the use of extraterritorial jurisdiction, including universal jurisdiction, in the prosecution of environmental crimes and for the development of stronger legal frameworks.