Death penalty threat for polluters in China
The death penalty is usually imposed for corruption and other economic crimes
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
Polluters in China could soon face the death penalty after the authorities stepped up the courts’ powers to punish firms who carry out grievous environmental crimes.
A judicial clarification took effect this week guaranteeing the enforcement of environment-related laws and regulations “which have long been lax and superficial in China,” the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
The move is a “powerful legal weapon” for enforcing protection, the report said.
“In the most serious cases the death penalty could be handed down,” it added. The death penalty is usually imposed for corruption and other economic crimes.
Public anger is rising over the country’s appalling environmental record. The cities are choking with smog and factories have done serious damage to the country’s rivers.
“The watchdog will strengthen monitoring measures, especially on enterprises that are located in environmentally-sensitive areas where major pollution accidents have happened,” the statement said.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments