In an update on our previous post, we now have more information on the two Greenpeace activists who were arrested in Japan following a four-month investigation into activities onboard the Japanese factory whaling ship and what happens to the whale meat that is processed following their ’scientific’ research.
Greenpeace intercepted one of many boxes of whale meat smuggled off the Nisshin Maru disguised as personal baggage, exposing the fact that choice pieces of whale meat were being given to certain crew members for personal gain and that Japanese taxpayers were footing the bill. Once the Greenpeace investigation had been finalised, all the evidence - including the box of whale meat, was handed to the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor, who began a formal investigation.
The Australian Greens are extremely concerned that these activists are being held without charge by Japanese police; it would appear these actions are politically motivated to shut down the successful Greenpeace campaign. It is hard to think otherwise when the Japanese Authorities sent in forty police to raid the Greenpeace offices and seize all computers and financial records. This is a disproportionate reaction to this matter.
Human rights groups from inside and outside of Japan have commented on the arrests. The Japanese Lawyers’ Network for Human Rights Observation around the G8 Summit (WATCH) issued a statement on June 28th in which they write:
“The arrest of the two activists is not only a human rights violation with regard to the unjustifiable arrest, detention and investigation, but also a challenge against the freedom of expression. Police repression against the activists’ denunciation obstructs the legitimate activities of both Japanese civil society and international society and is therefore internationally unacceptable and subject to global criticism as an affront to humanity.”
On July 9th, 2008 Transparency International posted a statement on their website which reads:
“Transparency International (TI) expresses its solidarity with two Greenpeace activists detained after publishing a report alleging corruption within the Japanese sponsored South Ocean whaling programme, and asks for clarity about the motives of these arrests. The two detained Greenpeace activists Junichi Sato and Toru Suzuki had investigated and documented activities onboard a Japanese whaling ship and the resulting sale of whale meat processed during the scientific research undertaken on board. TI requests to release the two at once because it is unnecessary to bind them any longer. TI denounces attempts - even unintentional ones - to intimidate or silence NGOs and nonviolent civil society actors. TI expresses its concern about the drop by the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor of its investigation into the Greenpeace allegations of assumed corruption published in the above mentioned report. The authorities in charge should take the necessary steps to either reintroduce the investigations or clarify the reasons for abandoning the case.”
Jeremy Hobbs, Executive Director of Oxfam International, wrote in a letter to Greenpeace on July 4th;
“Oxfam International supports calls to the Japanese authorities to release the Greenpeace protestors Junichi Sato and Tori Suzuki, who have been detained for several days without charge. We believe that this lengthy detention is unnecessary and excessive, given the fact that they are protesting about an issue of public interest rather than pursuing personal gain.”
The Australian Greens respectfully request the Japanese Government investigate these allegations and consider whether procedural fairness and due legal process has been pursued in this instance under Japanese law.
We are concerned that evidence was presented to Japanese Authorities showing that whale meat had been used as ‘gifts’, that a significant amount of meat had been thrown overboard and that meat from diseased whales was being processed.
Further, the Greens want to express concern that the people who brought these allegations to the attention of the international community are currently being held without charge. Junichi Sato and Toru Suzuki have cooperated with police in Aomori and with the Tokyo District Public Prosecutor, giving written statements and offered to present themselves to the police at any time. Their arrests therefore appear to be arbitrary.
The Working Group on the modernisation of the IWC will convene in September to begin the discussions surrounding the future direction of the commission. At this time, there has been no commitment from Japan to stop its ’scientific’ whaling operations. Good faith and trust building has been asked for by all sides, but it is difficult to believe that the Japanese government is acting in good faith given that it has not yet agreed to end its Southern Ocean whaling program. Rather, it continues to hold two of its own citizens without charge for questioning the activities of this tax-payer funded program and has chosen to investigate the whistleblowers rather than the activity itself.
The Greens will be writing to the Japanese Prime Minister, requesting that Japan investigate these allegations, as well as putting forward a motion in the Australian Senate expressing concern over the issue, and urging immediate action.
You can read the full Greenpeace report on the evidence collected and sign the petition to the Japanese Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to demand the activists’ immediate release.
