The Supreme court of China and procuratorate have jointly issued a judicial explanation on Tuesday, June 18, 2013, which will impose stricter punishments on polluters. The new document has taken effect on June 19, 2013 and deals with difficulties in investigating the environmental pollution cases, as well as convicting polluters.
The statement issued by the judicial departments said that the document will contain more exact criteria when it comes to convictions and sentencing and the document is expected to simplify the work of judges and also tighten punishments for polluters. The document has listed 14 different types of activity which will be thought of as crimes for harming the protection of the environment and resources.
The crimes will include dumping, discharging or treating radioactive waste containing infectious disease pathogens or toxic substances into the sources of nature reserves, as well as drinking water. The activities which result in pollution and poison over 30 people or force about 5,000 people to be evacuated will also be considered as a crime.
People who pollute near hospitals, schools and large residential areas will also be treated as offenders. The Criminal Law of the country says that people who are convicted of such serious crimes will have to face a maximum imprisonment of seven years and will also be need to pay additional fines.
