The Phenomenology of Registered Environmental Crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina
![handle is hein.journals/crjisuj2018 and id is 420 raw text is:
Criminal Justice Issues
Journal of Criminal Justice and Security
Year XVIII, Issue 5-6, 2018. p. 205-224
ISSN 1512-5505
THE PHENOMENOLOGY OF REGISTERED
ENVI RONMIENTAL CRIME IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
Sandra KOBAJICA
Abstract
Environmental crimes and their harms are largely neglected in contemporary Bos-
nia and Herzegovina [BiH]. Efficient and effective environmental protection is hin-
dered by limited (empirical) knowledge about the phenomenology and aetiology
of these crimes and the lack of formal reaction mechanisms. This study examines
the phenomena and typology of environmental crime in BiH based on the legalist
perspective in green criminology. Therefore, the main objectives of this study are to
determine forms, extent and distribution of registered environmental crime in BiH.
The data stem from the Agency for Statistics at the state level, as well as from Enti-
ties offices of statistics. The study findings indicate that environmental crime does
exist in BiH. The most frequent registered forms are the forest theft, following by
the illegal hunting and fishing, the torture and killing of animals and the devastation
of forests. It is widely assumed that in this field there are a considerable number of
cases that go unrecorded. Creation and implementation of criminal justice policies
are crucial for any successful response to environmental threats and they need to
have in mind such findings.
Key words
Environmental crime, green criminology, phenomenology, Bosnia and Herzegovina
INTRODUCTION
Bosnia and Herzegovina [BiH] is an independent, sovereign and democratic country situated in
the western part of the Balkan Peninsula. With a surface area of 51,209 km2, it is characterised
by exceptional natural, landscape and architectural diversity (Ministry of Foreign Trade and
Economic Relations of BiH, 2008). Forest and freshwater ecosystems, as well as agricultural
land play a dominant role in their landscape and resource pattern. Out of the total territory
of BiH 63% is covered with forests and other wooded land, which is one of the highest values
in Europe (Nikolov, 2015). About 20% of the land is arable, and 2% is under permanent crops
(United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, 2011). BiH is rich in waters with a dense
river network in the Sava River Basin, and with a less developed network of surface waters in](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.journals/crjisuj2018&div=33&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)
What Is HeinOnline?
Contact us for annual subscription options:
Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?
profiles profiles most
The Phenomenology of Registered Environmental Crime in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Contact us for annual subscription options:
Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?
profiles profiles most