China acts firmly against environmental crimes

In June, China’s supreme court and procuratorate jointly issued a new judicial explanation that imposes harsher punishments on polluters. In the most serious cases the death penalty could be handed down.

With more precise criteria for convictions and sentencing, the judicial explanation provides “a powerful legal weapon” for law enforcement, which is expected to facilitate the work of judges and tighten punishments for polluters, the statement said.

Monitoring measures will also be strengthened, especially for enterprises that previously used toxic substances and discharged dangerous waste, or are located in environmentally-sensitive areas where major environmental pollution accidents have happened over the past one or two years.

Source: www.china.org.cn, 20 June 2013
 

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