Anti-whaling activist Watson says Greenland arrest 'political'

So Watson thinks he has now become “a political symbol.” He’s actually a common criminal (a very dangerous one) who committed terrorist acts on the high seas and was arrested when he was on his way to committing further crimes. Macron’s request not to extradite him to Japan is just as gross as the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics.

Wonderful. We have another one who claims the legal prosecution for his alleged crimes (everything is on video) is "political" and has absolutely no remorse. If he is scared of jail in Japan he needs to start booking a wooden box.

And Macron is the president of the country that sent agents to blow up the Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior. What is with his support for SSCS?

Japan hostage justice system try to challenge EU system? Good luck with that.

By now he got, political support and good lawyer.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/07/24/japan/anti-whaling-activist-france/

It appears, then, that any terrorist need only say, "I did the right thing". Damage to a ship is not right (especially one on the open sea, where the damage could sink the ship and, perhaps kill those on board is not the right thing, either. The 19 terrorists of 9/11 thought they were doing the right thing, too. If whaling is something you do not like, violence is not the right thing to do, particularly if someone is killed or even injured. You could start a movement appealing to international bodies to halt whaling, or any number of other actions.

This while at the same time the Japanese whaling fleet is headed for or has already reached the Northern Pacific.

Remember when Japan pulled out the IWC and said they would stay home and only hunt whales in Japan's territorial seas? Flip forward a decade and Japan has commissioned a tax funded new and larger whaling ship and will kill whales in international waters.

Of course it is political. Even the Olympics are political we like it or not.

Mr. Paul Watson is a hero and under European laws he can not be extradited.

On the meantime, Japanese whaling fleet is free to slaughter whales, without any repercussion. Disgusting!!

25 years hard labour please for this criminal terrorist.

This while at the same time the Japanese whaling fleet is headed for or has already reached the Northern Pacific.

Strawman argument which has no bearing on wether Watson should be extradited or not.

The opinions of both are not mutually exclusive.

By maritime law Watson is a common criminal and should be thrown in jail. He then can use his activist acumen to improve the Japanese legal system.

French President Emmanuel Macron's office has asked Denmark not to extradite Watson, who has lived in France for the past year.

The fact that Macron is involved makes extradition unlikely.

He also has high profile French lawyer Francois Zimeray - former politician and ambassador to Denmark - in his corner.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fran%C3%A7ois_Zimeray

Terrorism is not called political activity.

Killing a whale does not violate international law in any way.

In a developed country governed by the rule of law, the law is absolute.

Surely we should obey it? If we don't like it, then change the law.

That's what parliamentary democracy is for.

Feel sorry for the whale? I call people who can only speak emotionally a fool. Do you not feel sorry for pigs, sheep and chickens?

Watson needs to stop running from the law, and face up to his judgement. A conviction of assault is very, very serious under Japanese law - and carries a sentence of up to 15 years in prison and/or a ¥500,000 fine. This is not a trivial matter.

I'm certain Denmark - a very close friend (and very similar nation) to Japan - will do the right thing and extradite Watson to have his day in court.

This is primarily about the Japanese govt saving face and exacting it's revenge.

To say it was humiliated at that time is putting it lightly.

Watson's actions were illegal and many wonder what other course of defiance / demonstration he could have undertaken that would not have broken the law.

But to put it all into perspective - that his actions put lives in danger and that he damaged property are views taken to the extreme. Those in most danger were the Sea Shepherd crew - albeit by their own doing.

I recall at the time how sensationalist media reporting here said they were throwing poisonous toxic bombs on to the whaling ships. Read that as - Rotten butter ( contains butyric acid ) in plastic bags was thrown onto decks. It's strong foul smell was hoped to prevent the cutting up of whales by spoiling the flesh. It was completely unsuccessful.

No, this is not about great crimes and misdemeanors against Japan - it's about pride, salvaging a bit of face.

If it truly was about seeking justice for the citizens of Japan, then there would be 100s of other cases higher on the priority list. But peering into those cases might damage the government.

Watson is an easy target to drive up nationalistic fervor to cover inaction on the real problems.

Bread and Circuses.

Besides the obvious differences between Denmark and Japan - anyone can see the respective legal systems are miles apart - the Danish legal system, which is subject to EU oversight, has nothing in common with what is accurately labelled as 'hostage justice'.

Extraditing a 75 year-old man to such a system couldn't be any more wrong. "Have his day in court" - what a smoke blowing joke - he will be detained for months and months on end, possibly years.

Denmark couldn't do more to ruin their good name by submitting to this wicked, barbaric political agenda.

And if they don't outwardly want to do the right thing and want to save face - France and the EU need to put their foot down.

I'm glad hyperbole doesnt hurt whales....comments here would see them extinct.

I'm no fan of Watson but comparisons to "terrorism " are over the top.

My money is on "No Extradition "

Japans legal system and compulsory solitary confinement would be breaches of various EU Charters and other things.

Courts in EU consider these things.

I contributed tactics to Sea Shepherd so as to hinder whaling operations. Taught them as a lad. Watched them succeed on Whale Wars.

deanzaZZR

...and will kill whales in international waters.

Which, again, isn't governed or prohibited by any international laws.

How fitting that the antics of this vigilante is finally found its way from National and World section to the Crime section where they belong.

RE: Watson's arrest has sparked a series of protests calling for his release Image: AFP

Three people with placards.

Well, he sure has the French populace on his side!

I wonder how many in France actually care?

Is not about if he is a pirate, terrorist or just a vigilante it is about the medieval hostage "justice" system of Japan. Everybody knows he will definetly NOT get a proper, fair trial, and he will be forced to confess all his crimes, exactly how the Japanese Prosecuters would like to.

Basically the topic is all about fair and transparent Justice for this man, something that Japan, currently cannot provide.

That is all.

Re : Whaling doesnt breach any international law comment above.

Google before you post .

CITES ruled it does...that's the organisation at the world level ruling on trading in endangered species.

People post what they think....that's not appropriate if you make a legal like claim.

The vessel was on its way to "intercept" a new Japanese whaling factory vessel in the North Pacific, according to the CPWF.

This is a crime against Japan..

And crimes against Japan must be paid..

Tokyoliving

"On it's way " NOT a crime.

Crimes require action and intent at the point of the offence.

Could be a "conspiracy " .....unlikely to stick here though.

I think the allegation is against an actual confrontation that actually took place.

GuruMick

CITES is an organization of voluntary member nations. It's rules and regulations, which again are not legally binding, are not laws, international or otherwise, and are subordinate to national laws. Japan is indeed a member of CITES, however, its current commercial whaling is conducted under species specific reservations declared in accordance with CITES' own convention and bylaws. This of course is still a moot point since CITES can't pass laws or enforce any. Maybe you should do some Googling before arbitrarily declaring something illegal?

Japanese whaling whether legal or illegal, whether people agree with it or disagree with it, its all irrelevant here.

The point here is, did Watson act illegally?

He did. And he should face trial in Japan for it.

USN in Japan 2...above.

Thanks for your reply.

What are your thoughts on the following:

Harvard International Review :A whale of a problem ; Japan's Whaling policies and the International Order.

Lots of points against your original assertion.

But you seem like a scholar and I invite you to dissect {no pun } a legal review from a Harvard Journal

@GuruMick

Let me also point out your misunderstanding.

Are you sure CITES = the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora?

Eight species of whales (sperm whales, sei whales, fin whales, two species of minke whales, beaked whales, Bryde's whales, and river whales) are listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

Are we not allowed to catch other whales?

Also, whaling for research purposes is permitted by the convention.

In terms of numbers, minke whales live in six habitats around the world, and it is said that there are more than 500,000 of them.

This is a big difference from the fact that only 5,000 blue whales have been confirmed in the world.

It's fine for white people to protect the whales they slaughtered, but I hope they don't force this on countries with a history of whaling.

Agent Neo....I was agreeing with your post....right up until you said "white people'

Bizarre.

It really does not matter which prison, as long as he rots in one.

"Even if he were guilty, it is clear that there has never been an extradition on the basis of such minor offenses," Essemlali said.

To ram deliberately other ships on the high seas in antarctic icy waters are very dangerous actions, this is a serious crime tantamount to piracy.

No way to call it 'such minor offenses'.

@GuruMick

I don't always blame white people.

However, do you know the history of whaling in Europe and America?

And do you know the amount of whales caught from the 1700s to the 1900s?

Before oil fields were discovered in Pennsylvania in 1859, whale oil was the main fuel source in the United States.

The decline in whales currently listed in the Washington Convention is not due to Japan or Norway taking too many, is it?

Watson knew this outcome was a possibility so he needs to man up and face the music in Japan. Maybe he will only receive a fine and no jail time. Only one way to find out.

he will be forced to confess all his crimes

Well, what he did was pretty obvious.

You can't go breaking the law with impunity and don't expect expect the repercussion.