Anti-whaling activist held in Greenland appeals for political asylum in France
Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd organisation faces extradition to Japan after arrest in Nuuk in July
Paul Watson arriving for a court hearing in Nuuk this month. For decades he has led high-profile confrontations with whaling ships.
Paul Watson, the anti-whaling activist detained in Greenland and awaiting possible extradition to Japan, has appealed to Emmanuel Macron for political asylum in France.
Watson was detained in July after a Japanese request to Interpol over his confrontational tactics aimed at disrupting whaling operations in the Antarctic, and could face up to 15 years in prison if he is extradited and convicted.
His request to the French president was made in a letter several days ago, said Lamya Essemlali, the head of Sea Shepherd France, at a press conference in Paris. Macron has previously expressed his support for Watson and emphasised the importance of the case for environmental advocacy and human rights. There was no immediate comment from Macron’s office on Wednesday.
Sea Shepherd founder Paul Watson says Japan seeking to make an example of him
Essemlali said: “Paul is very attached to France, and it is also the second largest marine territory in the world, which means a lot for ocean conservation. Paul is currently living in France with his family.” She said Watson was “down” and “isolated” but “resilient”.
Jean Tamalet, a lawyer associated with Sea Shepherd France, part of the US-based non-profit conservation activist organisation, emphasised that the call for political asylum was largely symbolic and aimed at securing Watson’s release.
Critics of Watson’s arrest in Greenland have asserted that it stemmed from longstanding political motivations tied to Japan’s whaling practices. Japan considers the practices part of its cultural heritage.
