World Court orders halt to Japan's scientific whaling
- 10 years ago
Judges at the highest U.N. court ordered Japan on Monday to halt its whaling in the Antarctic.
They rejected Japan's argument that its whaling was for scientific purposes, not for human consumption.
Instead, they sided with the plaintiff in the case, Australia, which said the scientific output from Japan didn't justify the numbers of whales being killed.
Some 850 minke whales each year.
(SOUNDBITE) (English), PRESIDING JUDGE, PETER TOMKA, SAYING:
"The Court concludes that the special permits granted by Japan for the killing, taking and treating the whales in connection with JARPA 2, are not for purposes of scientific research."
Japan's agent in the case called the ruling a disappointment but said Tokyo won't contradict the court.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) AGENT OF JAPAN, KOJI TSURUOKA SAYING:
"As a state that respects rule of law, the order of international law, and as a responsible member of the global community, Japan will abide by the deci
They rejected Japan's argument that its whaling was for scientific purposes, not for human consumption.
Instead, they sided with the plaintiff in the case, Australia, which said the scientific output from Japan didn't justify the numbers of whales being killed.
Some 850 minke whales each year.
(SOUNDBITE) (English), PRESIDING JUDGE, PETER TOMKA, SAYING:
"The Court concludes that the special permits granted by Japan for the killing, taking and treating the whales in connection with JARPA 2, are not for purposes of scientific research."
Japan's agent in the case called the ruling a disappointment but said Tokyo won't contradict the court.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) AGENT OF JAPAN, KOJI TSURUOKA SAYING:
"As a state that respects rule of law, the order of international law, and as a responsible member of the global community, Japan will abide by the deci