Croatian Government Approves Ecocide Law Proposal
Summary
A package of amendments to the Croatian penal code, including a new offence of ecocide, has been formally approved by the Government and referred to the country's Parliament for consideration.
The move, approved on 10 September, marks a significant step forward from the Government’s announcement in August that it intended to introduce ecocide into Croatia’s Criminal Code.
The proposed offence would cover particularly serious environmental crimes causing catastrophic, long-lasting and irreversible consequences for air, water, soil and ecosystems. The Government says the most serious offences would carry a minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, rising to long-term imprisonment and potentially life imprisonment. Ecocide would also not be subject to a statute of limitations.
The accompanying amendments would also increase maximum fines for companies responsible for the most serious criminal offences to as much as €50 million.
A working group dealing with the relevant amendments to the Criminal Code was initially established in 2025, as part of Croatia’s broader process of strengthening environmental criminal law and implementing the revised EU Environmental Crime Directive, although the proposed penalties for ecocide go significantly beyond the Directive’s minimum requirements.
The development comes amid heightened public concern over serious environmental crime in Croatia. On 5 September, tens of thousands of people marched through Zagreb demanding action over around 35,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste discovered in the Lika region near Gospić. An expert assessment commissioned by prosecutors confirmed soil contamination and warned that the waste posed a significant risk to the environment and human health.
The proposal was formally submitted to the Croatian Parliament on 11 September and is now listed for its first reading. On 15 September, during the opening day of Parliament’s regular autumn session, Justice Minister Damir Habijan reiterated the Government’s plans to introduce ecocide in response to a parliamentary question. A specific date for debate on the amendments has yet to be announced.
Dina Dragija, National Coordinator for Stop Ecocide Croatia, said:
“The Croatian Government’s approval of this proposal is a major step towards recognising the most severe forms of environmental destruction as serious crimes. The scale of public concern over Gospić, and the Government’s decision to strengthen the law, show a clear alignment around the need for greater protection of our environment and communities.
“There is still an important parliamentary process ahead, but Croatia is now well on the way to establishing much-needed ecocide legislation. By taking this forward, the Croatian Government is showing timely leadership that will be noticed around the world.”
Read the Croatian Government’s official announcement here.