More than four months after his arrest in Greenland, whale defender Paul Watson remains in detention. He is being held in prison in Nuuk while Denmark decides whether or not to extradite Paul Watson to Japan. As a sign of support, the city of Paris has just granted him honorary citizenship.
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“ Paul Watson, we are with you and we will defend you so that you are free and that you can also continue to help us in this fight for the rights of the living. » To show support, Anne Hidalgothe mayor of Paris, symbolically awarded honorary citizenship to Paul Watson. A certificate received by Lamya Essemlali, the president of Sea Shepherd Francein the presence of Paul Watson’s family.
Lamya Essemlali made the defender of whales a symbol: “ What is being played out today is the history of the defense of the ocean. »
“ He will never apologize for saving whales »
THE Japan accuses him of being co-responsible for damage and injuries allegedly caused on board a Japanese whaling ship in 2010 as part of a campaign led by Sea Shepherd. However, for Watson and his team, the extradition request currently being processed and his subsequent placement in pre-trial detention have “not nothing to do with what happened in 2010 » and Paul Watson denounces a political affair.
The argument is also challenged by Anne Hidalgo: “ He would have carried his rights with forms which are those of activism. But which are not forms of violence. The violence is not respecting international law, which is the law that protects and creates whale sanctuaries for whales. »
Lamya Essemlali fears the consequences of extradition to Japan: “ With a country that wants to make an example of him and that wants to bring him to his knees, that wants him to apologize. He will never apologize for saving whales. »
Handing over this honorary citizenship is a “ diplomatic act », assures Anne Hidalgo who hopes to serve as a relay. The president of Sea Shepard France also called Emmanuel Macron to grant French nationality to Paul Watson.
THE Denmark should decide in the coming days. If Copenhagen decides on an extradition to Japan, Lamya Essemlali is already considering appeals to the Supreme Court, or even to the European Court of Human Rights.
Also readEnvironmental activist Paul Watson detained in Greenland