It is the claim of Paul Watson, who was arrested on an Interpol warrant issued by Japan and threatened with extradition. As he has been fighting for the “cetacean people” for half a century, the American-Canadian activist has always chosen to challenge whalers in the cold waters of the planet… .
It is the claim of Paul Watson, who was arrested on an Interpol warrant issued by Japan and threatened with extradition. Since fighting for the “cetacean people” for half a century, the American-Canadian activist has chosen to challenge whalers in the cold waters of the planet by all means. First within Greenpeace, then at the head of Sea Shepherd, “sea shepherds”.
Skilled in muscle techniques, the only silver-locked captain who could direct a harpoon, he did it all: skirmishes on the high seas, skirmishes, sabotage on the dock. He does not hide it, takes responsibility for his actions, even if they are controversial in environmental circles. He was even knocked down by some of his troops, which didn’t stop him from attacking again. Until he was arrested in Nuuk, Greenland, Denmark.
And here Watson is threatened with languishing in a Japanese prison for the anti-whaling incidents that led to his injuries fifteen years ago if Denmark extradits him. But should a European country agree to deliver harpoon fish to Japan, the latest (along with Norway and Iceland) on the pretext that it sees an environmentalist as an eco-terrorist?
These brave sailors, whose struggles are justified by “race letters”, deserve the name of private.
Hunted like a common sperm whale by spearheads and their sponsors, the man nonetheless benefits from a worldwide following. To his friends, supporters and hundreds of thousands of people who signed a petition calling for his release, the founder of Sea Shepherd is, on the contrary, one of the modern-day pirates working to protect nature.
The concept of personality suits him very well. Throughout history, these brave sailors have always distinguished themselves from pirates with “race letters” issued to them by states to run against the enemy. And Watson is right to see that the “race letter” in the 1986 international moratorium should formally reward states that signed the moratorium banning whaling for their unwillingness to enforce international law themselves.
Talking about biodiversity, walking for the planet and the cetacean, of course, is necessary. But Watson personally believes that if we want to get to grips with reality, we need to go further. And because he chose to fight in the gray area of the law, he deserves protection from extradition, which would mean social death and the end of his struggle.