Japanese Whalers to be Prosecuted

The Announcement Today By The Australian Federal Government That It Will Take Japan To The International Court Of Justice In The Hague In An Attempt To End Its Barbaric Practice Of Whaling, Is Good News, Says Mick McIntyre, Director Of Australian Based Whales Alive.

“For years Japan has exploited a loophole at the IWC which has allowed it to continue the barbaric and inhumane slaughter of these magnificent creatures in the Southern Ocean under its so-called spurious ‘scientific whaling program’, which in reality is commercial whaling. Japan will at last be called to account for its outrageous behavior,” said McIntyre.

“Action needed to be taken outside the IWC which was gridlocked on this issue, “said Macintyre.

The Australian Labour Party went to the electorate in 2007 with a promise to take Japan to court to end whaling, a promise which is now fulfilling.

“Japan has shown a lack of good faith in stopping this barbaric practice and the Australian Government knows that Australians do not want to see any more images of Japanese whalers in action, such as we saw in 2008 when photos were published of a minke whale and its calf being hauled aboard a Japanese whaler,” said McIntyre.

Whales Alive applauds this move by the Australian Government to bring Japan to the International Court of Justice to account for its behavior.

Mick McIntyre has attended every International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting since 1993 and will be attending this year’s meeting in June at Agadir, Morocco.

McIntyre Is Available For Interview Call 0408 884 999, Or Michael Young 0410 408 492
Http://Www.Whalesalive.Org

STEPHEN SMITH MP

Minister for Foreign Affairs

PETER GARRETT MP

Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts

ROBERT McCLELLAND MP

Attorney-General

28 May 2010

GOVERNMENT INITIATES LEGAL ACTION AGAINST JAPANESE WHALING

Australia will initiate legal action in the International Court of Justice in The Hague against Japanese ‘scientific’ whaling in the Southern Ocean.

The decision underlines the Government’s commitment to bring to an end Japan’s program of so-called ‘scientific’ whaling in the Southern Ocean. It also demonstrates our commitment to do what it takes to end whaling globally.

The Australian Government has not taken this decision lightly. We have been patient and committed in our efforts to find a diplomatic resolution to this issue. We have engaged in intensive discussions in the International Whaling Commission (IWC) and bilaterally with Japan.

We have enjoyed the support of many other IWC members who share Australia’s concerns and goals. We commend countries of the European Union, the Buenos Aires group of Latin American countries, and others who have joined with Australia in highlighting, in particular, the necessity for phasing out whaling in the Southern Ocean Sanctuary.

But to date, the response of the whaling countries has not been positive. Recent statements by whaling countries in the Commission have provided Australia with little cause for hope that our serious commitment to conservation of the world’s whales will be reflected in any potential IWC compromise agreement.

The Government has always been firm in our resolve that if we could not find a diplomatic resolution to our differences over this issue, we would pursue legal action. The Government’s action fulfils that commitment.

Australia will remain closely engaged in the IWC process and will continue to work hard in the lead up to and at the IWC meeting in June to pursue our objectives While an outcome at that meeting which meets Australia’s fundamental conservation objectives is slim, the Government will continue to engage constructively in the diplomatic effort.

Australia and Japan share a comprehensive strategic, security and economic partnership. We share a substantial commercial relationship built over many decades, growing strategic and security linkages, and work together closely in key international forums such as the G20, the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and APEC.

The Government’s action today reflects a disagreement in one element of a relationship that is deep, broad and multi-dimensional.

Both Australia and Japan have agreed that, whatever our differences on whaling, this issue should not be allowed to jeopardise the strength and the growth of our bilateral relationship.

At the same time, the Australian Government will keep working tirelessly to achieve an end to whaling in the Southern Ocean, and we will use all legal and diplomatic avenues to achieve our goal.

A formal application will be lodged in The Hague early next week.

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Ben Pratt
Press Secretary
Office of Peter Garrett MP
Minister for Environment Protection, Heritage and the Arts
ben.pratt@environment.gov.au
Ph. 02 6277 7640
Mob. 0419 968 734

JOINT LETTER TO ENVIRONMENT MINISTER PETER GARRETT

10 February 2010

The Hon Peter Garrett MP

Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts

PO Box 6022

Parliament House

Canberra ACT 2600

Cc: The Hon Kevin Rudd, Prime Minister.

Dear Minister Garrett,

Australia’s role in the current IWC negotiations

We are writing to ask that the Australian Government clarify its position with regards to the current IWC negotiations and to request at this important time that more ongoing consultation occur with Australian environment groups on the issue of whaling.

IWC Support Group discussion have been held behind closed doors (including in the absence of NGO observers), but a recent statement by the Chairman of the IWC, Cristian Maquieira, and, in particular, media reports appear to indicate that the Japanese Government is gaining the upper hand in current negotiations.

Environment groups recognise that the Australian Government has for many years acted as the strongest advocate for an end to commercial whaling in all its guises including Japanese “scientific” whaling and we have supported the Government’s position at IWC meetings and the SORP initiative.

We appreciate that there may be increasing pressure on the Australian Government from countries that have previously expressed an anti-whaling position. As these countries retreat from a strong position it remains more important than ever that the Australian Government remain committed to realising an end to all forms of commercial whaling in the near future.

Consistent with its overall policy of opposition to all forms of commercial whaling, can you confirm that the Australian Government will oppose and vote against any package that provides for the continuation of commercial whaling and international trade in whale products. This includes any package that would allow any form of whaling in the Southern Ocean, and/or any agreement that might legitimise “scientific” whaling by negotiating a reduced catch such as been reported in the media. We also seek your confirmation that the Australian Government would not accept introduction of a new commercial whaling category for ‘coastal’ whaling as part of a negotiated compromise reached within the IWC, and will call on the whaling nations to lift their reservations to the Appendix I listing of whales on CITES

Our organisations have been encouraged by recent statements from the Prime Minister and other ministers which have appeared to place a deadline on a decision on moving forward with an international court case against Japan’s scientific whaling programs. If such a case has good prospects, may we make it clear that only a complete cessation of all scientific whaling programs would in our view warrant a decision against moving forward with it.

Finally, it has been four months since the last Cetaceans Roundtable meeting. A number of us have requested Government staff call another Roundtable meeting over the past few months but have not received a positive response.

Without ongoing engagement and updates from the Government it is difficult for environment groups to understand what action the Government is taking towards realising an end to all commercial whaling in all its guises.

Sincerely,

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/25/2830586.htm