| Japan Breaches Whaling Activists' Human Rights | 17 February 10 |
 Two Greenpeace activists arrested by Japan when they uncovered corruption in a tax-funded Japanese whaling program face trial. Illegal activities include over-harvesting of whales and whalers selling meat privately for consumption with the knowledge of government officials onboard whaling vessels. Greenpeace went public with the findings, prompting an investigation by a Tokyo district prosecutor that was shut down when the two activists were arrested for theft and trespass.The activists were held for 26 days, 23 without charge, questioned tied to chairs without a lawyer present and face 10 years in prison for their actions. Amnesty International filed a formal complaint about the treatment of the men, rallying support from other human rights organizations around the world. A UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention investigating the situation informed Japanese officials: the rights to freedom of opinion and expression; to exercise legitimate activities and engage in peaceful activities without intimidation or harassment, have not been respected by Japan's justice system. The trial for the pair is set for February 15, 2010. View February 8, 2010 Greenpeace press releaseView February, 8, 2010 Huffington Post Press Release Source: Greenpeace |
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