#freepaulwatson
Taking the time to write this email could change Paul Watson's life. Thank you.
UK Prime Minister: keir.starmer.mp@parliament.uk
UK Embassy in Copenhagen: consular.copenhagen@fco.gov.uk
Danish Embassy in London: lonamb@um.dk
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Subject: Urgent Appeal for the Release of Captain Paul Watson
I am writing to express my concern and dismay over the arrest of Captain Paul Watson by Danish police in Nuuk, Greenland.
On the morning of Sunday, July 21st, Captain Paul Watson, founder of the marine conservation organisation ‘Captain Paul Watson Foundation’ (CPWF), founder of Sea Shepherd and co-founder of Greenpeace, was arrested when over a dozen Danish police and SWAT team members boarded the M/Y John Paul DeJoria as soon as it made port in Nuuk, Greenland.
The police action is reportedly based on a confidential red notice issued by Japan, a notice stemming from Captain Watson's courageous efforts to protect whales from illegal whaling activities in international waters — activities that contravene the International Whaling Commission's moratorium.
Operating in breach of the ICJ ruling for several years, Japan eventually ceased Antarctic high seas whaling in 2016, and now only hunts whales within its territorial waters. CPWF believes the purpose of the Kangei Maru is to resume whaling in the Southern Ocean and North Pacific as early as December 2024. It is likely that the reactivation of the Red Notice against Captain Watson is politically motivated.
Denmark and Europe have taken a firm stand against whaling, and have banned this practice. It is bewildering and troubling that Danish authorities would act on behalf of Japan, enforcing a notice, viewed by the EU as an abuse of the Red Notice system, especially when no other nation has seen fit to do so.
Captain Watson has dedicated his life to the defence of marine life and the preservation of our oceans. His actions have always been driven by a commitment to environmental conservation and justice. It is difficult to believe that detaining such a devoted conservationist aligns with the Danish public interest. This action casts Denmark in the role of a bounty hunter for Japan, a position that seems incongruous with Denmark's progressive environmental values.
I implore you to reconsider this decision and take a stand against this unjust act and move to prevent Captain Watson's extradition to Japan. The world is watching closely, and any harm that comes to this dedicated defender of our oceans will be a stain on Denmark's reputation.
Already, tourists and shopper are already boycotting the Faroe Islands due to their whaling practices; do not let the wider Danish kingdom suffer the same fate by being perceived as a supporter of whaling and oceanic destruction.
I trust you will act with integrity and prioritise the protection of our environment and its defenders, over those who seek to destroy the ocean’s ecosystem. Refuse to allow the Danish nation to act as enforcers for the whaling industry.
With hope and expectation that you will do what is right and act in line with Denmark’s own environmental and animal welfare values.
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
https://assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/XRef/Xref-XML2HTML-en.asp?fileid=23524&lang=en