EU justice ministers agreed to tighten environmental criminal law

For Austria’s Justice Minister Alma Zadic (Greens), this is a “big day for more environmental justice”. The EU is thus taking on a global pioneering role in combating environmental crime. Alongside drug smuggling, this is one of the most lucrative crimes in the world and is currently hardly ever prosecuted. “Clear criminal law regulations and robust penalties are needed here. Anyone who enriches themselves on the back of the environment must also expect the consequences,” emphasized Zadic at the Council of Justice Ministers in Brussels.

With the adopted general approach, a more effective prosecution of environmental crimes will be possible in the future. For example, illegal waste disposal or trading in illegally felled wood will be punished with numerous new criminal offences. An adjustment of the minimum and maximum fines is intended to ensure that environmentally harmful actions will no longer be financially profitable for companies in the future. So far, the costs of environmental crimes could easily be budgeted in certain cases, explained Zadić.

With this position, the member states can enter into negotiations with the EU Parliament as soon as the latter has also determined its position.

The subject of the meeting was once again effective prosecution of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine. “In the face of Russian aggression and mounting reports of war crimes, close and effective European cooperation with Ukraine, the International Criminal Court and the United Nations must remain a top priority for all of us. The perpetrators must be held accountable “Emphasized Austria’s Minister of Justice.

In July, Zadić issued a decree to the public prosecutor’s office that created the conditions for Austrian participation in international investigations into war crimes in Ukraine. In addition, Austria is participating in the international investigations by sending an Austrian judge to the ICC and setting up a national contact point at EUROJUST. Ukrainian authorities can contact them if they have any questions relating to the prosecution of war crimes.

The justice ministers also discussed the introduction of an anti-SLAPP directive. This aims to introduce an effective tool to protect journalists, human rights defenders and environmental activists from intimidation through abusive litigation. These intimidation lawsuits have played a major role in the USA for years, and the EU instrument is intended to put an effective stop to a similar development in Europe in advance.

Source: Nachrichten