Captain Watson to Remain in Detention Until December 4th

Despite growing international outrage over the prolonged confinement of anti-whaling activist Captain Paul Watson, his incarceration in Greenland has recently been extended until December 4th.

Photo: Captain Paul Watson Foundation

The continuation of his already months-long imprisonment has been met with international condemnation, including from the City of Paris, which offered its official support to the lifelong whale advocate by bestowing honorary citizenship on Captain Watson. Paris City Hall stated it "wishes to salute his courage and commitment to environmental protection."

Although the designation of honorary citizenship is a symbolic gesture, it sends a strong message to the Danish government as they consider Watson's possible extradition to Japan.

For his part, Captain Watson made the following statement in closing remarks at a recent hearing in Greenland, where he asked the judge to let him to return home to his family by Christmas: "The Japanese are allowed to continue with their illegal whaling, while I’m behind bars in Greenland. Japan is a criminal nation, and Denmark supports them. I and my children are punished.”

Throughout his life, Captain Watson has never wavered in his commitment to protecting the world's oceans and marine wildlife. He is now being persecuted by the Japanese government for exposing their crimes against marine life, and it is highly unlikely he would receive a fair trial if their request for extradition is successful. This grave miscarriage of justice must finally come to an end, and Captain Watson must be released.

Please help keep the pressure on the Danish government to set this hero free by sending a letter to the Danish Minister for Justice, Peter Hummelgaard, urging him to take immediate action to release Captain Watson. Paul Watson has dedicated his life to protecting whales, and he deserves to spend the holidays with his family!