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Amnesty supports gaoled anti-whaling activists
Australian government urged to question Japanese judicial process
July 15, 2008
Greenpeace Japan whale campaign coordinator Junichi Sato, with the whale meat that was stolen from Japanese taxpayers, and which he provided as evidence to the government &ndash only to be arrested.
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Amnesty International has expressed its deep concern in a letter to the prime minister of Japan, Yasuo Fukuda, about the detention of two Greenpeace activists, Junichi Sato and Toru Suzuki who have been charged with theft and trespass.
In a press statement released overnight, Amnesty International said: "These two must be allowed to challenge their detention before an independent and impartial court in proceedings which meet international standards of fairness.
"It is imperative that their rights to freedom from arbitrary deprivation of their liberty are fully respected, in accordance with international human rights treaties to which Japan is a state party.
"We also ask that an independent, impartial and thorough investigation is begun into their arrests and that the findings of the investigation be made public."
"Greenpeace welcomes this statement from Amnesty," said Greenpeace CEO Steve Shallhorn. "Our activists are awaiting a decision as to whether they will be released on bail this week.
"It would be helpful if the Australian government could also question the Japanese Government about why they are not investigating the corruption our activists were arrested for exposing.
On June 26 the Federal Senate passed a motion calling on the Australian Government to press the Japanese Government to take action on the alleged embezzlement of whale meat.
"Rather than locking up our activists, the Japanese Government should launch a full investigation into the whale meat embezzlement ring we have uncovered," said Mr Shallhorn.
Junichi Sato and Toru Suzuki were arrested on 20 June, despite offering to cooperate with police and having already submitted, under their own initiative, written statements about the Greenpeace undercover investigation, which revealed large-scale theft of meat from the tax-payer funded so-called scientific whaling program.. They were initially detained by Japanese prosecutors for 13 days on suspicion of trespass and theft. Their detention without charge or trial was extended by ten days. On 11 July, as the maximum period for their continued pre-charge detention was due to expire, they were charged with theft and trespass.
In a press statement released overnight, Amnesty International said: "These two must be allowed to challenge their detention before an independent and impartial court in proceedings which meet international standards of fairness.
"It is imperative that their rights to freedom from arbitrary deprivation of their liberty are fully respected, in accordance with international human rights treaties to which Japan is a state party.
"We also ask that an independent, impartial and thorough investigation is begun into their arrests and that the findings of the investigation be made public."
"Greenpeace welcomes this statement from Amnesty," said Greenpeace CEO Steve Shallhorn. "Our activists are awaiting a decision as to whether they will be released on bail this week.
"It would be helpful if the Australian government could also question the Japanese Government about why they are not investigating the corruption our activists were arrested for exposing.
On June 26 the Federal Senate passed a motion calling on the Australian Government to press the Japanese Government to take action on the alleged embezzlement of whale meat.
"Rather than locking up our activists, the Japanese Government should launch a full investigation into the whale meat embezzlement ring we have uncovered," said Mr Shallhorn.
Junichi Sato and Toru Suzuki were arrested on 20 June, despite offering to cooperate with police and having already submitted, under their own initiative, written statements about the Greenpeace undercover investigation, which revealed large-scale theft of meat from the tax-payer funded so-called scientific whaling program.. They were initially detained by Japanese prosecutors for 13 days on suspicion of trespass and theft. Their detention without charge or trial was extended by ten days. On 11 July, as the maximum period for their continued pre-charge detention was due to expire, they were charged with theft and trespass.
Related Reports
- Senate Motion supporting arrested Japanese activists
June 26, 2008
- Greenpeace Investigation: Japan's Stolen Whale Meat Scandal
June 23, 2008
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Media Officer, Ruchira Talukdar 0407 414 572
