Assessment of the International Ban on the Trade of Ivory in Light of Sustainable Development Principles

Year 2023, Volume: 3 Issue: 2, 41 - 51, 31.12.2023

Ahmet Onur Çataklı

Abstract

The African elephant (Loxodanta africana) is regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and as a rule, international trade of it and of its parts such as ivory is banned. Throughout this study, the international ban on the trade of ivory is critically assessed as to whether it is consistent with the principles of sustainable development. The definition, scope and principles of sustainable development are already controversial in environmental politics. In this paper, the principles of sustainable development are regarded as sustainable use, equity, common but differentiated responsibilities, participation, good governance, integrity and precautionary principles in line with New Delhi Declaration of Principles of International Law Relating to Sustainable Development. In this paper, it is argued that the international ban on the trade of ivory is not consistent with these principles since it disregards sustainable use of natural resources, equity, needs and participation of local people, necessity of good governance and integration of different policy areas. While resorting to a trade ban might seem feasible as an alternative to taking environmental risks within the framework of the precautionary principle, this principle alone does not constitute the sole basis for a trade ban.

Keywords

Ivory, International Trade, Sustainability

Fildişi Ticaretindeki Uluslararası Yasağın Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma İlkeleri Işığında Değerlendirmesi

Abstract

Afrika fili (Loxodanta africana), Nesli Tehlike Altında Olan Yabani Hayvan ve Bitki Türlerinin Uluslararası Ticaretine İlişkin Sözleşme kapsamında düzenlenmektedir ve genel bir kural olarak fildişi gibi parçaları da dahil olmak üzere uluslararası ticareti yasaklanmıştır. Çalışma boyunca, fildişi ticaretine getirilen uluslararası yasağın sürdürülebilir kalkınma ilkeleriyle tutarlı olup olmadığı eleştirel bir şekilde değerlendirilmektedir. Sürdürülebilir kalkınmanın tanımı, kapsamı ve ilkeleri çevre siyasetinde halihazırda tartışmalıdır. Bu yazıda sürdürülebilir kalkınma ilkeleri; Yeni Delhi Sürdürülebilir Kalkınmaya İlişkin Uluslararası Hukuk İlkeleri Bildirgesi doğrultusunda sürdürülebilir kullanım, eşitlik, ortak ancak farklılaştırılmış sorumluluklar, katılım, iyi yönetişim, bütünlük ve ihtiyatlılık ilkeleri olarak kabul edilmiştir. Bu yazıda, doğal kaynakların sürdürülebilir kullanımını, eşitliği, yerel halkın ihtiyaçlarını ve katılımını, iyi yönetişim gerekliliğini ve farklı politika alanlarının entegrasyonunu göz ardı ettiği için fildişi ticaretine ilişkin uluslararası yasağın bu ilkelerle tutarlı olmadığı savunulmaktadır. İhtiyatlılık ilkesi çerçevesinde çevresel risk almak yerine ticaret yasağına başvurmak makul gibi görünse de bu ilke de ticaret yasağı için tek başına dayanak oluşturmaz.

Keywords

Fildişi, Uluslararası Ticaret, Sürdürülebilirlik

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