To mark the conclusion of Earth Week, on the 23 April, the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX), in partnership with the EU-funded Home Affairs Programme of the EU (HAPE), organised an awareness raising conference on environmental crimes for Kosovo Police’s officers and prosecutors.

The conference brought together representatives from Kosovo institutions and international speakers who exchanged notes on the risks and harm caused by environmental crimes in Kosovo - particularly affecting vulnerable sectors of the population such as women and children. Examples include air and water pollution, illegal woodcutting, illegal dumping, and illegal constructions.

Opening the conference, the Head of EULEX, Giovanni Pietro Barbano, pointed out that: “Access to a clean and healthy environment is a universal human right and authorities around the globe are scaling up their efforts to prevent and punish environmental crime,” adding that “environmental crimes have an impact on all of us, directly or indirectly.”

Barbano also reiterated the Mission’s commitment to fighting security challenges linked to climate change and environmental degradation, including environmental crime, in line with the Civilian Common Security and Defence Compact, adding how: “Addressing environmental crime requires effective law enforcement, regulatory frameworks, and international cooperation.”

The Deputy Head of the European Union in Kosovo, Eva Palatova, underlined the work of the EU against environmental crime, confirming that: “The EU's commitment to combating environmental crime goes beyond mere words. We prioritize environmental crime on the political agenda, allocate resources, and enhance cooperation. Together, we can safeguard our planet for future generations. I am confident that the seeds we plant today will bear fruit in the near future."

The Ambassador of Belgium, Grégoire Cuvelier, took the floor thanking Kosovo authorities for their commitment in combating environmental crimes and highlighted the international dimension of the problem, recalling how: “Belgium is the first EU Member State that has revised its penal code in order to include the crime of ecocide.”

The Deputy Ambassador of Italy, Ugo Ferrero, stressed the global-scale impacts caused by environmental crimes: “Environmental degradation and climate changes are not only threats in itself, but risk factors. Global warming leads to more frequent and extreme weather events and natural disasters as well as degradation of ecosystem across the globe.”

The Acting Chief State Prosecutor, Besim Kelmendi, confirmed that the fight against environmental crime and the protection of natural resources is a priority for the prosecutorial system in Kosovo.

Expressing gratitude for the support received from international partners in this area he stated: “We insist, and we will continue to insist that the sentencing policy for crimes against the environment must be much harsher than it has been so far.”

The Deputy Minister of Environment, Jeton Raka, recalling the existence of a solid legal framework in the fight against environmental crime, announced that: “On the occasion of the Earth Day, as Ministry of Environment we have decided to establish a Green Task Force.”

"Kosovo has a good legal basis on prevention and fight against environmental crime, which is mainly addressed through provisions and laws on the protection of environment, laws on the protection of nature, law on forests and waters, law on Environmental Inspectorate, the Criminal Code, but also by specific bylaws."

The Deputy Minister of Health, Dafina Gexha-Bunjaku, explained the important role played by environmental protection in preventing health issues: “Addressing environmental health goes beyond mere politics. It requires a collective change in mindset and behavior,” she said, calling on each of us to play a role.

Following the opening remarks, the conference continued with various presentations aiming at better understanding the existing situation vis-à-vis the issue of environmental crimes.

The EULEX Thematic Lead Monitor on Environmental Crimes, Vesa Satamo, took stock of most common crimes perpetrated in Kosovo, highlighting their impacts on both natural resources and people, and explaining the monitoring role of the Mission in such a crucial area.

The Police Commander of the Station in Junik, Lieutenant Rasim Syla, presented the work done by the Police in investigating environmental crime, as well as in raising awareness across the Junik’s population about environmental protection issues and regulations in place to prevent environmental degradation.

In the afternoon, the Head of Serious Organized Crime Division (SOC), Major Arsim Krasniqi, focused on serious and large-scale environmental crimes in Kosovo, while Elbasan Shala, from the Ministry of Environment Inspectorate, provided the participants with an insightful statistical and data overview.

The conference ended with a roundtable discussion where participants exchanged views with the speakers.

In particular, the HAPE Team Leder, Vincenzo Tagliaferri presented the HAPE Project, implemented by Belgium, France and Italy, and extensively talked about the new directive on environmental protection, to strengthen the fight against the most serious environmental offences which can have devastating effects on both the environment and human health.

Participants were also given the opportunity to listen to best practices on fighting environmental crimes from Colonel Cristina Avanzo, Commander of the Italian Center of Excellence for Environmental Protection of Sabaudia, and from Eric Stephan, Project Manager at the International Strategy Department of the French Gendarmerie Command for Environment and Health (CEZAN).

The conference was organized under the EULEX’s small-scale Project “Environmental Crime,” developed within the framework of the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats (EMPACT).