Press release by Limity jsme my, 20. 11. 2024
The decision of the Regional Court on Wednesday, November 20th, dealt a blow not only to the 83 accused activists but also to the whole of the civil society. The activists who blocked the coal mine in an effort to draw attention to the unsustainability of coal mining and the urgency of the climate crisis during the Climate Camp in 2018 now have to pay over one million CZK (appr. 39 550 EUR) for the alleged damages done.
"We understand the entire court case as a tool of intimidation and silencing that is supposed to discourage the citizens from criticizing dirty business practices and fighting for climate justice," says Áron Tkadleček, the spokesperson of Limity jsme my which is supporting the accused from the very beginning. "It is unfair that ČEZ and its subsidiary Severočeské doly use the justice system to silence their own critics while they keep participating in the devastation of the climate."
The ruling comes at a time when the consequences of the climate crisis are more and more visible – floods, draughts, polluted air and loss of biodiversity are just some of its implications. ČEZ is participating in solving these issues only on a small scale, in the meantime it attacks those trying to change the situation.
ČEZ and its subsidiaries have achieved their goal – not only did they claim compensation for damages from people who were not even participating at the blockade, but also imposed, for many, a liquidating financial burden on those who dared to stand up publicly against coal mining. This situation shows us how corporations use the judicial system to force their own interests at the expense of those who are trying to save society from climate collapse.
The irony remains that the lawsuit is coming from a company, that showed record profits in the times of energy crisis: in 2022, ČEZ recorded a net profit of an astronomical 81 billion CZK (appr. 3.2 billion EUR)1 and another 29.6 billion CZK (appr. 1.1 billion EUR) in 20232. Although ČEZ started investing also in sustainable energy resources in 2018, it is still bullying people who are drawing attention to the consequences of coal mining and burning. What is even worse, this company is financing conferences where people spread misinformation and deny scientific facts about the climate crisis3.
It is good to remind ourselves that just one year before the blockade of the Bílina coalmine, the top management of ČEZ paid out their rewards in the total amount of 22 million CZK (appr. 870 500 EUR) through its subsidiary Severočeské doly4. While the corporation is handing out millions to its management, it also expects the citizens to pay for drawing attention to the climate crisis. This situation reveals a deep discrepancy between the priorities of big corporations and the needs of the society.
The Limity jsme my movement stands with the accused and provides all the possible assistance. "This is a clear example of why there is still a need to keep fighting for climate justice," Áron Tkadleček emphasizes. "This is not just about individuals but about the protection of the rights of all citizens to intervene when corporations endanger the future of the planet."
Contact:
Áron Tkadleček, +420 737 981 525
Links:
[1] https://www.novinky.cz/clanek/ekonomika-cisty-zisk-cez-loni-mezirocne-stoupl-na-81-miliard-40426373
[2] https://www.idnes.cz/ekonomika/podniky/cez-vysledky-2023-prognozy.A240320_142816_ekoakcie_ven
[3] https://www.voxpot.cz/cez-pres-svou-firmu-plati-dezinformatory-vyrazili-jsme-na-jejich-setkani
