Justice for whales and the Tokyo Two

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Justice for whales and the Tokyo Two

Justice for whales and the Tokyo Two

Call for an end to whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary and support anti-whaling activists Junichi and Toru. Write to Japan's Foreign Minister.

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Dear Sir,

In the last year, Japan has taken important steps to lead the world on environmental issues. By embracing climate solutions instead of short-term profits, Japan has proved itself to be a progressive and forward-thinking voice on global issues. I am writing to ask that Japan again make a decision based on the future.

Japan’s 'scientific' whaling in the Southern Ocean Whale Sanctuary has stained the image and reputation of Japan for decades. The Antarctic ocean is one of our last pristine marine ecosystems and should finally become the sanctuary that was intended decades ago. Japan’s commitment to end whaling here would be an appropriate way to mark the International Year of Biodiversity - this year. And this would be a great political decision -- to be a world leader of marine conservation -- especially given that Japan is hosting this year's meeting for the Convention on Biological Diversity in October.

Japanese ex-commercial whaling companies have promised to not restart commercial whaling, the demand for whale meat is falling in Japan, Japanese taxpayers find it unacceptable to see their money used to continue whaling and keep the organisations conducting it alive, and all that is received in return is severe criticism from the rest of the world.

Many scandals have been exposed in Japan's whaling programme and this year evidence has been revealed that Japan is using its Fisheries Aid to secure votes at the International Whaling Comission. Two years ago, Junichi Sato and Toru Suzuki, two Japanese Greenpeace activists exposed the corruption and embezzlement behind your government’s whaling programme. Instead of investigating their claims, Japan put these two men on trial. They are now facing up to one year and six months in jail for a peaceful protest motivated purely by public interest. I respectfully request that you do all you can to honour Japan’s commitments to international human rights agreements by ending this prosecution.

The prosecution of Sato and Suzuki – known as the Tokyo Two - has produced further international outcry and concern. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights noted her concern at their prosecution during a recent visit to Japan and the United Nations Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded the prosecution was political and the human rights of the two men had been abused. Numerous other organisations and legal experts have registered similar concerns.

Please listen to the global community. End the whaling operations and the trial that are undermining Japan’s potential for environmental leadership.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

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Two Greenpeace activists, Junichi Sato and Toru Suzuki, are now awaiting a verdict after a lengthy trial in Japan. The prosecutor has asked for them to be sent to jail for 18 months following their exposure of corruption in Japan's whaling industry. Their case has been supported by Amnesty International, Nobel Laureates including Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and celebrities like Bryan Adams and Benicio Del Torro. Known as the 'Tokyo Two', Junichi and Toru have been joined by over half a million voices from around the world since they were arrested 2 years ago. But now they need our help more than ever.

This year, Japan is preparing to host an international meeting for the Convention on Biological Diversity. They have the opportunity to finally reverse course on whaling and show true leadership in marine biodiversity conservation. It's time for justice for the whales and for the Tokyo Two.

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