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7 McGill Int'l J. Sust. Dev. L. & Pol'y 115 (2011-2012)
Crimes against Future Generations: Harnessing the Potential of Individual Criminal Accountability for Global Sustainability

handle is hein.journals/mcgijosd7 and id is 121 raw text is: Crimes Against Future Generations: Harnessing the Potential of Individual Criminal Accountability for Global Sustainability Sebastien Jodoin* and Yolanda Saito** 7he existing approach of states to the global objective of sustainable development evinces a clear failure to address acts and conduct that are unsustainable in findamen- tal ways. Populations around the world are experienc- ing the contamination of their freshwater sources and critical ecosystems, the embezzlement of state resources, the forced labour of children and women, and the dis- criminatory denial of access to food, shelter, medical care, education, and culturalfeedoms without adequate legal recourse. This article argues that serious violations ofthe International Covenant ofEconomic, Social, and Cultural Rights and severe environmental damage can strike at the very foundations oftbe economic, social and Devant l'objectf global de diveloppement durable, l'approche actuelle des Etats est un ichec manifeste qui ne permet pas de faire face aux actes et conduites s'avirant itre fondamentalement non-durables du point de vue environnemental. A l'ichelle mondiale, nombreuses sont les populations qui n'ont aucun recours juridique approprii alors qu'elles connaissent la pollution de leurs sources d'eau douce et de leurs icosystimes, le ditourne- ment des ressources de lI'tat, le travailforci d'enfants et de femmes, et subissent le refus discriminatoire d'accis d la nourriture, h un toit, aux soins midicaux, h l'iducation et h la liberti culturelle. Cer article soutient que les sirieuses violations au Pacte international relatif aux droits iconomiques, sociaux et culturels, ainsi que les graves dommages environnementaux, peuvent atta- quer de plein fouet les fondements mimes des piliers environmentalpillars ofsustainable development. It out- lines the legalfoundations and possible legal pathways of a new crime under international law aimed at acts and conduct that have severe consequences on the long-term health, safety and means of survival of any identifiable group or collectivity of humans. Crimes against future generations recognizes the power of individual criminal liability to fill the current governance gap that provides the permissive environment for transnational corpora- tions and states to deny populations the basic living and environmental conditions to take first steps towards their own sustainable development. iconomiques, sociaux et environnementaux du devel- oppement durable. Il trace igalement les grandes lignes des fondements juridiques de mime que les avenues juridiques possibles d'un nouveau type de crime en droit international visant les actes et conduites ayant de lourdes consiquences d long terme sur la santi, la sicurit et les moyens de survie de tout groupe identfiable ou de toute collectiviti humaine. En effet, les crimes contre les ginirationsfitures reconnaissent le pouvoir de la respon- sabiliti pinale individuelle afin de combler l'icart de gouvernance qui cree un climat laxiste, par lequel les entreprises transnationales et les tats nient aux popula- tions les conditions de vie et environnementales ilemen- taires susceptibles de les aider 4 faire un premier pas vers leurpropre diveloppement durable. Sdbastien Jodoin is a Trudeau Scholar at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, a Lead Counsel with the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law, a Fellow with the Canadian Centre for International Justice, and an Associate Fellow with the McGill Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism. He is also the Director of the One Justice Project. As explained below, this article builds on research that was supported by the World Future Council and the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law and the contribution of both organisations to this work is gratefully acknowledged. Yolanda Saito is an Associate Fellow with the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law and Legal Specialist with the International Development Law Organization. She is also a Legal Officer with the One Justice Project.

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