EU proposes to bring Russia to justice for ecocide in Ukraine

This is stated in a statement published on Friday.

At its April plenary meeting, the Social and Economic Committee (ESC) adopted an opinion on the right to a healthy environment in the European Union, in particular in the context of the war in Ukraine, calling for the criminalization of Russia's actions in accordance with European law.

"The European Economic and Social Committee, together with the European Parliament, calls for the recognition of ecocide as a criminal offence under EU law. The EESC believes that this would help hold Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine and prevent similar environmental disasters from happening in the future," the statement reads.

The committee also calls on the EU to document and assess the environmental consequences of Russia's invasion of Ukraine for the purpose of legally protecting the environment and creating a framework for "environmentally and socially just post-war recovery that is consistent with international standards."

According to the EU's Economic and Social Committee, the hostilities have led to the destruction of large areas of forests, air and water pollution - despite the fact that Ukraine accounts for 35% of Europe's biodiversity.

The Economic and Social Committee is one of the four consultative bodies of the European Union, established in 1957. It is composed of 329 representatives of employers, trade unionists, and representatives of social, professional, economic, and cultural organisations.

Like other EU advisory bodies, the Social and Economic Committee advises the European Commission, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament, but has no legislative or other decision-making powers.

Earlier, the UN stated that they do not use the term "ecocide," but it is clear that after the war in Ukraine ends, the environmental consequences will be long-term.