Press release - June 22, 2006
FRIGATE BAY, Saint Kitts and Nevis — As the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in St Kitts concluded its proceedings today, a peaceful protest carried out by Greenpeace was abruptly broken up by the authorities, who arrested ten activists and ship crew from the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise. The protestors were attempting to highlight the number of whales killed during the last whaling season in the so-called Southern Oceans Whale Sanctuary.
During the IWC meeting Greenpeace activists attempted a demonstration where they would install a symbolic whale tail graveyard on the beach before St. Kitts security stopped them.
As the International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting in St
Kitts concluded its proceedings today, a peaceful protest carried
out by Greenpeace was abruptly broken up by the authorities, who
arrested ten activists and ship crew from the Greenpeace ship
Arctic Sunrise. The protestors were attempting to highlight the
number of whales killed during the last whaling season in the
so-called Southern Oceans Whale Sanctuary.
The protest involved activists and crew from the Greenpeace ship
Arctic Sunrise, which had been barred from St Kitts waters when it
arrived last weekend prior to the start of the IWC meeting. They
arrived via inflatable boats to the beach in North Frigate Bay, St
Kitts and were attempting to create a symbolic "whale graveyard"
display using 863 cardboard whale tails - one to represent each of
the estimated whales caught by Japanese whalers in the Southern
Ocean 'Whale Sanctuary' during the last year. However, the
protestors were stopped and arrested by the police shortly after
coming ashore, and currently are being held at the Basseterre
Police Station in St Kitts awaiting further information on charges.
(1)
"To have arrests happen over a peaceful protest is ludicrous -
the real safety issues are on the high-seas where whales are under
threat and are being killed on an on-going basis," said Mike
Townsley, Greenpeace International spokesperson. "It's about time
the IWC and nations of the world take heed and realise that this
slaughter cannot continue. Greenpeace is on the side of good by
protecting whales and the environment they live in.
"Greenpeace is a peaceful protest organisation and we will
return to the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary later this year, where
we will continue to defend the 935 minke whales and ten fin whales
which are the target of the Fisheries Agency of Japan's grenade
tipped harpoons," concluded Townsley.
Greenpeace's campaign for an end to whaling is part of the most
ambitious ship expedition ever undertaken by the environmental
advocacy organisation. The 14-month long "Defending our Oceans"
expedition is exposing the key threats to our oceans and offering
real solutions, a global network of properly enforced marine
reserves covering 40 percent of the worlds oceans: places that will
be protected from industrial exploitation and destruction, from
industrial fishing and hunting, and places from which our oceans
can begin the process of repair and recovery.
For further information, contact
Greenpeace International communications officer Suzette Jackson +31 6 4619 7324
Spokespeople attending the IWC
John Frizell, Greenpeace International and Head of Delegation, +44 780 121
2999
John Bowler Greenpeace International oceans campaigner +35 387 239 4692
Video and stills available from
Greenpeace International Video Desk +31 6 4619 7322
Greenpeace International Photo Desk +31 6 5381 9255
Notes to Editor
(1) NAMES OF ARRESTIES
ARCTIC SUNRISE SHIP CREW
Daniel Bravo MEXICO
Ana Paula Maciel BRAZIL
Barbara Vitoria BRAZIL
Joslei Leffa BRAZIL
Veronica Lameck BRAZIL
ON SHORE, NORTH FRIGATE BAY, ST KITTS
Mike Townsley SCOTLAND
Buffy Baumann US
Francisco Gil PORTUGAL
Milko Schvartzman ARGENTINA
Steffi Werner GERMANY