Burden of proof lies with the investor
The Győr Court did not rule in favor of Greenpeace in the first instance. It argued that the organization should have proven that the dredging work carried out all year round caused damage to nature and endangered the protected animals living there. The court has now overturned this ruling and made it clear that the burden of proof lies with the investor.
Groundbreaking ruling for environmental protection
Katalin Rodics from Greenpeace welcomed the ruling. It is the result of a four-year joint struggle between Greenpeace and the Friends of Lake Fertő. The ruling might help many other organizations to fight effectively and courageously once morest destruction aimed at short-term financial interests. Greenpeace lawyer Ildikó Gutper stressed the importance of the ruling for civil society, whose resources are often limited. The ruling not only makes the fight for environmental protection at Lake Fertő easier, but might also set a precedent for other NGOs in similar cases.
