International experts: Japanese whaling unlawful

International experts find Japanese whaling is unlawful

"Australia needs to mount an international legal challenge to Japan's brutal whale hunt immediately," said Senator Rachel Siewert today.

"We should challenge Japan immediately through the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) or the International Commission on Justice."

An International Panel of Independent Legal Experts commissioned by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) today released the finding that Japan's so-called 'scientific' whaling is unlawful.

"The findings of this independent panel of international experts confirm the advice given by IFAW to the Minister for Environment, Senator Ian Campbell last year, that legal action was appropriate" said Senator Siewert.

"I am calling on him again to pursue this matter through the international courts."

"There is a strong case that Japan's 'scientific' whaling violates the international moratorium on commercial whaling and is unlawful."

"What more information does the Minister need?"

"We believe he has a very strong case and Australia needs to push this case."

Senator Siewert suggested that the money being used by the Minister to tour Pacific Island nations to try and gain their support ahead of the coming meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) would have been better spent on mounting a legal challenge.

For more information on IFAW and legal comment see: http://www.ifaw.org.au/

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