Disruption of the Food Production-to-Distribution Chain as an International Crime within the Framework of International Criminal Law

Abstract

Food security refers to the sustained and adequate access of all individuals to safe, nutritious, and acceptable food necessary for an active and healthy life. Food security is a fundamental human right and a vital component of preserving human dignity and social stability, and its deliberate disruption may have far-reaching consequences at both national and international levels. Given the complexities involved in food production, transportation, and distribution, as well as the threats arising from acts of sabotage, examining this issue within the framework of international criminal law appears essential. The principal research question is: “Can the deliberate disruption of the food production-to-distribution chain be regarded as an international crime, and what legal framework exists for identifying and prosecuting its perpetrators?” The main hypothesis of the study is that targeted and systematic acts aimed at disrupting the food supply chain, where they result in threats to public health, the creation of famine, or serious harm to the population, may satisfy the criteria of an international crime and should therefore be subject to prosecution under the jurisdiction of international courts and tribunals. The principal findings indicate that, first, existing legal gaps in international instruments, such as the Rome Statute and conventions related to food security, create difficulties in prosecuting such crimes; second, the adoption of a comprehensive and precise definition of a “crime against food security” could enhance clarity regarding international criminal responsibility; and third, international cooperation among judicial institutions, international organizations, and States is essential for preventing and combating such acts. This study employs a descriptive-analytical research method.