This project is part of the debate on the international recognition of a crime of “ecocide “. The European Commission proposed, Wednesday, December 15, to strengthen its arsenal against environmental crimes. In its updated directive, which will have to be approved by the Member States and MEPs, Brussels proposes to double the list of these environmental crimes, by adding in particular the misuse of chemicals, the illegal trade in wood or waste, the discharge of polluting substances from ships or illegal abstraction of water.
“Too often in Europe, there is no real sanction for environmental crimes. Violators can go unpunished, there are too few incentives to respect the law.”, explained the European Commissioner for the Environment Virginijus Sinkevicius. Gold, “Environmental crimes can cause long-term irreversible damage to ecosystems, but also to human health. It is the fourth largest criminal activity in the world after drug trafficking, human trafficking and counterfeiting.”, he said.
The Commission thus wishes to introduce “more dissuasive and proportionate sanctions“, asking states to provide for prison sentences of up to 10 years for environmental crimes resulting in death or serious injury, as well as fines for companies of up to 5% of global turnover In addition, there is the possibility of excluding them from access to financing and public contracts.
“In the end, the decisions will come back to the national courts” but this text “will give them clarity”, commented the European Commissioner for the Environment. The European executive also wants a more effective application of the law by better training police officers, prosecutors and judges, by facilitating cross-border investigations, but also by strengthening the protection of whistleblowers and environmental defenders who denounce infringements. .
“Very often they face considerable risks, even here in Europe: harassment, physical intimidation, even murder”, observed Virginijus Sinkevicius, also calling for combating abusive prosecutions against journalists and human rights defenders.