Commit A Crime On The Moon? Canada Might Punish You

Commit A Crime On The Moon? Canada Might Punish You

NASA
These Moon crimes (officially labeled ‘Civil Lunar Gateway Agreement Implementation Act’) would be enforced as an amendment to Canada’s Criminal Code. Per the amendment, “A Canadian crew member who, during a space flight, commits an act or omission outside Canada that if committed in Canada would constitute an indictable offense is deemed to have committed that act or omission in Canada.” In other words,  any illegal activity on the Moon could be charged the same as if it happened on Canadian soil.
While that’s a potentially huge change, it’s important to note the scope of the amendment. If Canada’s Moon crime laws are passed, they’d only apply to Canadian astronauts during their lunar journey — including the flight to the Moon, time spent on the Moon’s surface, and the trip back to Earth. Canada’s Moon laws wouldn’t apply to astronauts from other countries, but if the legislation is passed and approved, it could be a catalyst for other nations to do the same.
Although legal talk about Moon crimes may not sound very exciting on paper, it’s a notable step forward in humans establishing a serious presence on the Moon. If we want to regularly send humans to our lunar neighbor and have long-term activity there, this is a necessary step that needs to happen sooner or later.
Source: Parliament Of Canada

#Commit #Crime #Moon #Canada #Punish

Commit A Crime On The Moon? Canada Might Punish You

NASA
These Moon crimes (officially labeled ‘Civil Lunar Gateway Agreement Implementation Act’) would be enforced as an amendment to Canada’s Criminal Code. Per the amendment, “A Canadian crew member who, during a space flight, commits an act or omission outside Canada that if committed in Canada would constitute an indictable offense is deemed to have committed that act or omission in Canada.” In other words,  any illegal activity on the Moon could be charged the same as if it happened on Canadian soil.
While that’s a potentially huge change, it’s important to note the scope of the amendment. If Canada’s Moon crime laws are passed, they’d only apply to Canadian astronauts during their lunar journey — including the flight to the Moon, time spent on the Moon’s surface, and the trip back to Earth. Canada’s Moon laws wouldn’t apply to astronauts from other countries, but if the legislation is passed and approved, it could be a catalyst for other nations to do the same.
Although legal talk about Moon crimes may not sound very exciting on paper, it’s a notable step forward in humans establishing a serious presence on the Moon. If we want to regularly send humans to our lunar neighbor and have long-term activity there, this is a necessary step that needs to happen sooner or later.
Source: Parliament Of Canada

#Commit #Crime #Moon #Canada #Punish