The Role of the International Criminal Court in Combating Environmental Crime Role of the International Criminal Court in Combating Environmental Crime

Abstract

Environmental crime has now become a serious problem around the world in various forms, some of which have been among the most profitable criminal activities in the world. The most common crimes against the environment are related to the illegal exploitation of wild animals and plants, pollution, waste disposal and trade. The participation of the International Criminal Court in dealing with environmental crimes represents a positive expansion of its jurisdiction, since environmental crimes are no less serious than the other crimes that have already entered the jurisdiction of the Court as stipulated in the Statute. The Court also did well when the debate on the nature of environmental crimes was settled and considered environmental crimes as crimes against humanity. There is also a need to unify the laws of the environment, despite the large number of environmental laws, but they did not constitute a deterrent enough for some people and companies and even countries to commit environmental crimes due to lack of awareness of the risks of environmental crimes and the lack of sufficient condemnation at the international level.