Government Must Support Anti-Whaling Protester

The Government must do more to ensure Anti-whaling protester Peter Bethune is not victimised as he faces charges by Japanese authorities, Labour’s Foreign Affairs spokesperson Chris Carter said today.

“It’s obvious, by the charges laid against Mr Bethune, that Japanese Authorities are trying to make an example of the skipper of the Ady Gill to discourage similar actions,” Chris Carter said.

“Foreign Minister Murray McCully must take steps to ensure that Peter Bethune is not being made the scapegoat for the increased level of anti-whaling protest action in the Southern Ocean.

“As a New Zealand citizen, Peter Bethune deserves the right to have his Government intervene if he believes he is being treated unfairly. Unfortunately it seems his family believes the Government response to date has been ‘gutless’.

“Peter Bethune boarded the Japanese vessel in the Southern Ocean following the ramming and sinking of his own ship the Ady Gill.

“On the face it, the charges subsequently laid against Mr Bethune seem to be excessive,” Chris Carter said.

Chris Carter said it seems extreme for Peter Bethune to be facing a possible 15 year prison sentence for the 5 charges laid against him.

“To be charged with carrying a weapon for having a knife in his possession in the Southern ocean is just one example of a possible over-reaction from the Japanese Coastguard,” Chris Carter said.

“It is clear Peter Bethune boarded the Shonan Maru 2 to make a political protest, but by the way he is being dealt with by the Japanese Coastguard you would think he is a South seas hijacker.

“New Zealand’s Government must do more to support Peter Bethune to ensure the punishment fits the crime.”

ENDS

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