NSW Greens MLC Ian Cohen has called on the Japanese Government to review its support of the corrupt whaling industry following the recent conviction of anti-whaling protestors.
"The conviction of Japanese anti-whaling activists Toru Suzuki and Junichi Sato for exposing the corruption within the whaling industry is an indictment of the Japanese Government's support for this inhumane practice" says Mr Cohen.
"Toru Suzuki and Junichi Sato found evidence that whale meat that is slaughtered in the name of so-called "scientific research" is in fact being sold on the black market by crew members from the whaling ships.
"Instead of being lauded for their courage in bringing to light such corruption, Toru Suzuki and Junichi Sato were treated deplorably during the investigation and have now had convictions brought against them for theft and trespass.
"I find this very troubling as when I met Toru Suzuki last year I was impressed by his integrity and commitment to the campaign against Japan's whaling activities.
"Earlier this year, the UN Human Rights Council found that Toru Suzuki and Junichi Sato had been arbitrarily deprived of their liberty by the Japanese Government in response to protesting against whaling activities, a direct contravention of their universal human rights.
"The Japanese Government must be told in no uncertain terms that the mistreatment of citizens, who are expressing their right to protest and hold a Government accountable for its actions, is appalling and needs to stop.
"The evidence presented by Toru Suzuki and Junichi Sato confirms that the system of issuing scientific permits for killing whales is merely a way of getting around the international moratorium on commercial whaling and that there is simply no need for the unnecessary and outdate practice of hunting whales.
"I have written to the Japanese Consulate-General to urge the Japanese Government to heed the concerns of the international community over the way in which Toru Suzuki and Junichi Sato have been treated and to end the environmentally perverted practice of hunting whales" said Mr Cohen.
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