Stop Illegal Whaling Now!
- by: Mark Jones
- recipient: Australian Environment Minister, Josh Frydenberg.
In April 2014, the International Court Of Justice handed down a ruling in favour of the Australian Government which found the whaling program Japan was carrying out in the Antarctic under scientific grounds was a sham and illegal.
They were ordered to cease immediately and advised that they could not resume at any stage. The ICJ has made the following statement to clarify events -
'ICJ Judgments have binding force and are without appeal for the parties concerned.
By signing the UN Charter, a State Member of the United Nations undertakes to comply with any decision of the Court in a case to which it is a party. Since, furthermore, a case can only be submitted to the Court and decided by it if the parties have in one way or another consented to its jurisdiction over the case, it is rare for a decision not to be implemented.
A State which contends that the other side has failed to perform the obligations incumbent upon it under a judgment rendered by the Court may lay the matter before the Security Council, which is empowered to recommend or decide upon the measures to be taken to give effect to the judgment.'
Quite clearly Japan is in breech of this finding and I wish to urge people to add their name to the petition which aims to encourage Minister Frydenberg to exercise our full right and end the illegal slaughter.
As it stands, Japan is snubbing its nose at our country as it acts above the law to which it is bound. There is also a possibility that the illegal acts are deemed piracy.
Dear Minister Frydenberg.
I April 2014, the international Court Of Justice handed down a ruling on a case brought before it by the Australian Government. Australia stated that Japan was carrying out Whaling under the guise of scientific purposes and argued that it was illegal.
Japan and Australia agreed to have the case heard before the court understanding fully the following - 'ICJ Judgments have binding force and are without appeal for the parties concerned. By signing the UN Charter, a State Member of the United Nations undertakes to comply with any decision of the Court in a case to which it is a party. Since, furthermore, a case can only be submitted to the Court and decided by it if the parties have in one way or another consented to its jurisdiction over the case.
The ruling which was handed down is therefore binding however Japan acted in contempt last year and resumed their whaling program, and they fully intend to do the same this coming year.
The ICJ has advised the following - A State which contends that the other side has failed to perform the obligations incumbent upon it under a judgment rendered by the Court may lay the matter before the Security Council, which is empowered to recommend or decide upon the measures to be taken to give effect to the judgment.
It is our belief that this should have been done last year, and in the light that it was not, we ask that this be commenced immediately for this coming intended whaling season. Secondly we believe that the Australian Government should send either Coast Guard or Naval Vessels to intercept the whaling fleet and eith escort them out of the area or confiscate the boats which we believe are participating in an act of piracy.
The Australian Government has expended large sums of money to gain a favourable result and it wil be irresponsible of us not to enforce this.
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