A protest erupted outside the Danish embassy in Brussels on September 5, as European Parliament delegates voiced their outrage over the arrest and potential extradition of renowned conservationist Paul Watson. The 73-year-old founder of Sea Shepherd Conservation Society was apprehended in Greenland on July 21, at the behest of Japan, which issued an international warrant in 2012 for his actions against Japanese whaling in 2010.
EU lawmakers Emma Fourreau (France/The Left) and Lena Schilling (Austria/Greens), spearheading the demonstration, along with other members of the European Parliament, called for Watson’s immediate release. They argued that Watson’s actions against illegal whaling were in line with international law and vital for safeguarding the oceans.
The protest followed a Greenland High Court decision on September 4, to keep Watson detained for another 28 days until October 2, while an extradition decision to Japan is considered. If extradited, Watson could face up to 15 years in prison.
The lawmakers denounced the arrest as a repression of environmental activism, emphasizing Watson’s dedication to protecting marine life and upholding international law. They highlighted that his imprisonment reflects a growing trend of suppressing those who fight for environmental causes.
While the EU has strict conservation laws prohibiting whaling within its member states and adheres to international agreements like the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW), Japan continues to hunt whales despite the 1986 international moratorium on commercial whaling. This has led to a contentious relationship between Japan and the EU on the issue of whaling.
The European Commission has not commented on the situation, while the Danish government remains under intense scrutiny from environmentalists and global activists, who are demanding Watson’s release and urging Denmark not to extradite him to Japan.
