HAZARDOUS WASTE CRIMES AND THEIR PUNISHMENT: AN ANALYTICAL STUDY

Abstract

This research aims to analyze the crimes concerning hazardous waste and their punishment. It was organized into two sections. The first section deals with defining the search terms. The second section addresses the hazardous waste crimes and their punishment. One of the most important findings of the research is that, despite the large amount of legislative texts, the Saudi legislator neglected to set a precise, comprehensive definition that prevents this type of crime. A precise definition may help determine the reasons and motives that led the legislator to be able to criminalize such deeds. On the other hand, the penalties stipulated in the regulations related to the subject of the research are considered very light and not commensurate with the amount of damage that hazardous waste may cause to the environment. There is an overlap between the stipulated penalties. One of the most prominent recommendations of this research is the suggestion to consider penalties related to hazardous waste crimes in proportion to the gravity of the harm they cause. The need to work to protect the environment from pollution. The research urges international cooperation to seek in turn to achieve this goal and to take all appropriate measures to protect and improve the environment.