CITES as an International Instrument Against Pandemics that Threaten Human Life

Year 2022, Volume: 80 Issue: 2, 683 - 720, 22.07.2022

Ali Kerem Kayhan

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus requires revisiting many global issues, One of these being is the wildlife trade and its adverse effects. Scientific studies have revealed the possibility that the SARS-CoV-2, a zoonotic virus, was transmitted to humans through an endangered wild species (pangolin). Despite pangolins being protected by strict rules under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) they are still the subject of illegal trade. CITES is a comprehensive global convention regulating trade of endangered wildlife species. The convention does not contain any regulations for preventing diseases that threaten human life. However, CITES can indirectly play a role by regulating international trade. This article discusses the possible role CITES and its mechanisms have in preventing SARS-CoV-2 and similar zoonotic viruses. For this purpose, the study examines the proposals for revisions to CITES, including the integration of species shipment regulations and the addition of a new appendix involving animal health. Moreover, the study evaluates proposals to completely ban the trade of wildlife species and the possibility of having CITES intervene in domestic trade. Lastly, the article discusses proposals for recognizing illegal trade as a serious international crime. The main purpose of CITES is to regulate and protect the trade of endangered wild species. No matter what future arrangements are made, acting very meticulously will be necessary by taking into account the concerns of state parties, as this convention depends on states implementing the arrangements.

Keywords

Illegal Wildlife Trade, Wildlife, Endangered Species, Zoonotic Diseases, SARS-CoV-2, Pangolin, CITES, International Environmental Law

Insan Hayatını Tehdit Eden Salgınlarla Mücadelede Küresel Bir Araç Olarak CITES

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 virüsünün yol açtığı ve tüm dünyayı etkisi altına alan COVID-19 pandemisi, küresel düzeyde sorgulamalara yol açmış ve birçok meselenin yeniden ele alınmasını gerektirmiştir. Bu meselelerden biri de yaban hayatına ait türlerin ticareti ve bu ticaretin etkileridir. Çeşitli bilimsel araştırmalarda zoonatik bir virüs olan SARS-CoV-2’nin nesli tükenmekte olan yabani bir türün (pangolin) aracılığı ile insanlara bulaşma ihtimali ortaya çıkmıştır. Pangolin, yabani türlerin ticaretini düzenleyen CITES himayesinde sıkı kurallar ile korunan bir tür olmasına rağmen yoğun bir biçimde yasadışı ticarete konu olmaktadır. CITES, nesli tehdit altındaki canlıların ticaretini kurallara bağlı olarak işleten uluslararası bir sözleşmedir. Sözleşme, insan hayatını tehdit eden hastalıkların önlenmesine yönelik herhangi bir düzenleme içermez. Ancak uluslararası ticareti düzenleyerek dolaylı olarak zoonatik virüsler ile mücadelede rol oynayabilir. Bu çalışmada SARS- CoV-2 ve benzeri zoonatik virüsler ile mücadelede CITES’in muhtemel rolü, CITES’in elindeki araçlar ve CITES’ın revizyonu üzerinde durulacaktır. Bu amaçla, çalışmada öncelikle CITES içerisinde sevkiyatı yapılan türlerin sağlıklarının korunmasına yönelik düzenlemeler getirilmesi ve hayvan sağlığını içerecek yeni bir sınıflandırma eklenmesi incelenmektedir. Bunun yanında CITES’ın iç ticarete müdahale yolları üzerinde durularak yaban hayatına ait türlerin ticaretinin tamamen yasaklanması önerileri değerlendirilmektedir. Son olarak yasadışı ticaretin ağır bir uluslararası suç olarak kabul edilmesi yönündeki öneriler ele alınmaktadır. CITES’ın ana amacı nesli tükenmekte olan yabani türlerin ticaretinin düzenlenerek korunmasıdır. Bu nedenle CITES’ın geliştirilmesi ve değiştirilmesine yönelik tüm yaklaşımlar CITES’ın başarıları göz önünde bulundurularak yapılmalıdır. CITES’ın radikal bir biçimde genişletilerek temel amacından uzaklaşmaması veya zorlaştırıcı hükümler ile taraf devletleri kapsayıcılığının azalmaması gerekir.

Keywords

Yasadışı Yabani Hayvan ve Bitki Ticareti, Yaban Hayatı, Nesli Tehdit Altındaki Türler, Zoonatik Hastalıklar, Pangolin, SARS-CoV-2, CITES, Uluslararası Çevre Hukuku

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