URGENT: show your support for captain paul watson
In 2002, Captain Paul Waston, the star of Whale Wars on Animal Planet, intercepted a ship that was illegally catching and finning sharks off the coast of Guatemala to send to Asia. Captain Watson was charged with violating navigational regulations, and though the charges were eventually dropped, they were recently reinstated when an arrest warrant was issued last October. Captain Watson was arrested in Germany, and he may be soon extradited back to Costa Rica.
Paul needs supporters to appeal the German Ministry of Justice for help. The Public Prosecutor stated that the German Ministry of Justice and the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs have the power to stop the extradition procedures on political grounds, and if they give notice that they would not grant an extradition of Paul Watson to Costa Rica, the case will be over and Captain Watson would be set free immediately.
We have less than 48 hours for the German Minister of Justice to overturn the decision to hold Paul for up to 90 days in Germany while his extradition to Costa Rica is further determined.
This statement from Captain Watson was recently posted on the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society:
"In our efforts to defend the lives of whales, dolphins, seals, sharks, and fish we have made some powerful enemies, most notably the government of Japan. It is no coincidence that the extradition request by Costa Rica was issued the same month (October 2011) as the Japanese whaling (ICR) lawsuit against Sea Shepherd was initiated. The extradition request was in reference to a complaint from Costa Rican fishermen who I caught poaching in Guatemalan waters. The fishermen were not injured and their boat was not damaged. The incident was fully documented for the film Sharkwater.Interpol originally denied this extradition order and deemed it as politically motivated. Therefore the question must be asked why Germany is now taking into account accusations made by illegal poachers."- Captain Paul Watson
You can learn more about Captain Watson and this situation by watching the video below:
This is an extremely urgent matter, so show your support for Paul by reading the word and visiting the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society website.
Photo: NY Times
21 comments
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It is very of disappointing that false news are made public on this site and you, Alicia, do not even bother to correct it. So here is an update on the Paul Watson case for anyone who is actually interested and cares for this cause.
http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/2012/07/30/captain-paul-watson-sends-sea-shepherd-first-message-for-supporters-since-departing-germany-1413 -
What a great news you have: "We helped "Whale Wars" star and animal advocate Captain Paul Watson get released from jail in Germany. Yahoo!"
Unfortunately this is NOT tre. Paul was not released, he was only set free for a bail of 250.000 Euro with the constraint to present himself every day at the police station in Frankfurt. Last sunday he did not comply with this and presumably left Germany. So he was not freed, he escaped, and Germany has released the warrant agains him again. There is still an extradition request on him from Costa Rica and now also from Japan.
I am really shocked about this case and it is terrifying to see how money influences justice systems. And how one of the few people brave enough to fight for those who cannot defend themselves is depicted as a criminal in public.
I think it is great that The Kind Life members were activated for this cause, but please get this information right, as it does make a real big difference in this story. There is no victory yet to be celebrated. The charges against him were not reversed. -
I have signed as many as I can find, I have called multiple times and sent e-mails multiple times to them. I hope and pray they release him. If he goes to Costa Rica, it will be his death and a most horrible tragic day for the world and the beautiful beings in the oceans! He is a brave and heroic, wonderful man. Imagine if the world had more like him!
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heres another one to sign...
https://www.rainforest-rescue.org/mailalert/874/free-environmental-hero-paul-watson
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THANK YOU so much for sharing this and thank you to all who have written on his behalf. Paul wrote a letter from jail the other day. I will share it here in case people have not seen it, please watch the website and main FB page for updates. Suzanne West, Sea Shepherd Seattle Chapter Coordinator
"Thank-you to all the Sea Shepherd supporters worldwide for being here for me, in support of securing my freedom from this jail in Germany.
"Our efforts to protect life in our oceans have made us some very powerful enemies, most notably the government of Japan.
"But against this power, we have the passion of all those who support life and it is this passion for life that will triumph over the power of those who would destroy our oceans.
"I know that with your support Germany will not send me to what will most certainly be a death sentence in Costa Rica.
Captain Paul Watson"
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I sent an email to the Ministry of Justice. Thanks so much to mntryjoseph for the addresses and translation.
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I am a huge fan of Paul and of Sea Shepherd. We must help him get released, he is a hero who has given his life to saving animals! Thanks for sharing on here Alicia!
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I've been following Whale Wars for a few seasons and have so much respect for the crews of the ships who risk their lives for such beautiful and magestic creatures. The world needs more people like them. I wish there was more I could do to help free Paul Watson, but I'll definitely raise awareness of his well intentioned mission!
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Please sign this petition to fee Captain Paul Watson
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Thank you for posting this. My sister introduced me to Sea Shepherds some time ago through the TV show "Whale Wars." I am a great admirer of Paul Watson's and will be sending all the letters I can.
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Germany
Chancellor: Angela Merkel
Berlin office
Bundeskanzleramt
Willy-Brandt-Straße 1
10557 Berlin
Bonn office
Adenauerallee 139/141
53113 Bonn
German Cabinet
http://www.bundesregierung.de/Webs/Breg/EN/FederalGovernment/Cabinet/_node.html;jsessionid=32F78BCDD2C762B0FFDBDFE67FEF5C7A.s4t1
Ministry of Justice in Hessen, Germany:
Hessisches Ministerium der Justiz, für Integration und Europa
Referat für Ã-ffentlichkeitsarbeit
Luisenstraße 13
65185 Wiesbaden
Telefon: 0611 / 322780
Telefax: 0611 / 322691
E-Mail: redaktion-internet@hmdj.hessen.de
SEND MAIL To the Ministry of Justice in Hessen, Germany:
Hessisches Ministerium der Justiz, für Integration und Europa
Referat für Ã-ffentlichkeitsarbeit
Luisenstraße 13
65185 Wiesbaden
Telefon: 0611 / 322780
Telefax: 0611 / 322691
E-Mail: redaktion-internet@hmdj.hessen.de
German- English:
Sehr geehrte Mitarbeiter des hessischen Justizministeriums.
Mit beschämen stellte ich fest, dass Paul Watson, Gründer und Captain der Umweltschutzorganisation Sea Shepherd, am 13.05.2012 am Fraport festgenommen wurde. Paul Watson wurde wegen einem sinnlosen aus dem Jahre 2005 erlassenen Haftbefehl aus Costa Rica interniert. Weil Paul Watson laut der „World Charter of Nature", welche durch die United Nations im Jahre 1982 in Kraft tat, legal gehandelt hat, fordere ich die sofortige Freilassung des Kanadiers.
FOR THE OCEANS,
FREE PAUL WATSON
To the Ministry of Justice in Hessen, Germany
Deeply concerned and ashamed I learned about the arrest of Paul Watson, Founder and President of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, on the 13th of May, 2012, at Frankfurt Airport. Paul Watson has been apprehended on a warrant issued by Costa Rica in 2005. The accusations are ludicrous and indefensible. As Paul Watson's actions have been consistent with the 'World Charter of Nature' that came into force in 1982, and are therefore completely legal, I demand the immediate release of the Canadian.
FOR THE OCEANS,
FREE PAUL WATSON
THANK YOU!!! -
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That whole thing is complete you know what. I know Paul, and I'm pretty upset about this news. These people seriously need to let him go. This man is a hero! Is this how people reward a true hero??? Wow man.
Gabe -
Hooray for Captain Paul. Thank G-d for people like him who put their lives on the line to save our animals of the sea. Happy to help in any way I can.
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Thank you Alicia for posting this! I am an avid supporter and follow of SSCS from the beginning and this is so upsetting. thank you for helping spread the word!
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Thank you for the head's up on this. Just made a donation...I simply cannot standby while shark finning continues...
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