News from Cpt Paul Watson re: SOS Day Wed, 5/23
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Our Voices for the Sharks in a Heartfelt Pledge of Cooperation on the May 23rd Day of Protest
May 22, 2012
Our Voices for the Sharks in a Heartfelt Pledge of Cooperation on the May 23rd Day of Protest By Captain Paul Watson
http://www.seashepherd.org/images/stories/news/2012/news_120522_3_1_GalapagosShark_Nicolas_Vera.jpgShark living wild and free. Photo: Nicolas VeraMuch has been happening since I have been arrested in Germany. Captain Alex Cornelissen and our legal team in Costa Rica have been meeting with officials in Costa Rica. Our excellent German legal team working with Captain Peter Hammarstedt, Sea Shepherd Director of Investigations Scott West, and myself has been working with officials, judges, police, and the media in Germany. Sea Shepherd volunteers around the world have been passionately working to assist in every way possible. It has been an incredibly positive response to not just my arrest but to the realization that this is about something more than just my freedom. This is about protecting life in our oceans and it is about the courage, initiative, and imagination to see possibilities instead of conflict, to see where positive change can be brought about in place of conflict.
Tomorrow is an international day of protest on my behalf and it is important that we direct our energies in a positive manner.
We do not want to attack the President or the government of Costa Rica. We would like to approach the Costa Rican government in a positive manner, not simply to resolve this legal issue but more importantly to find a way to work cooperatively with Costa Rica to end the illegal practice of shark finning and to protect the fragile marine eco-systems surrounding Cocos Island.
Ten years ago when this conflict first arose there was a different government and a far stronger shark finning operation. In fact, we felt at the time that the entire affair was orchestrated to prevent Sea Shepherd and the Costa Rican Ministry of the Environment from working cooperatively to protect the Cocos Island National Park. That, unfortunately, is exactly what occurred and whereas we have spent the last 12 years working in positive cooperation with the rangers of the Galapagos and the Ecuadorian Federal Police, we have been denied the opportunity to work with the rangers of Cocos and the government of Costa Rica.
We believe we can accomplish a great deal more here than simply dropping charges against me. I believe we can address these charges and more importantly I believe we just may be able to directly initiate a relationship with Costa Rica that will positively benefit the sharks and other marine species of the Cocos Island National Park. I am willing to risk that the new government of Costa Rica is more enlightened and much more concerned with protecting sharks and marine life than the government we dealt with a decade ago.
Towards this end I am willing to address the judicial demands, but more importantly I do not want to lose the opportunity of actually being able to work- hands on- with Costa Rica to do what we are most passionate about – the preservation of the shark and marine species of Cocos Island National Park.
http://www.seashepherd.org/images/stories/news/2012/news_120522_3_5_img0028p%5B4%5D.jpgDead sharks from an illegal shark finning operation http://www.seashepherd.org/images/stories/news/2012/news_120522_3_6_sharks%20009%5B4%5D%5B3%5D.jpgFinned sharks from an illegal fishing operation. Photo: Mavis Bullard
I think we can reach an understanding with Costa Rica and I am willing to risk whatever it takes to realize the possibility that Sea Shepherd can once again partner with our ranger friends on Cocos Island.
The demonstrations tomorrow should not focus on Costa Rica. We should focus on Germany. Germany has the power to politically set me free. The red list arrest warrant issued to Interpol was voided as politically motivated and dismissed practically everywhere in the world except for Germany.
I unfortunately landed in Germany- the one nation where Interpol’s decisions are disregarded.
I have found since I have arrived in Germany that the German people are incredibly supportive from the judges to the prison guards, to the police, to the taxi drivers, to the people on the streets and in the shops. The German people are very conservation minded and they get it.
Our task is to convince the government of Germany that conservation is about being active about taking risks and that the environment must be put before politics. Therefore let us focus our energies on May 23rd towards politely appealing to German Justice Minister Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger to drop this extradition demand.
In return I will make this promise – that I will initiate a cooperative relationship with Costa Rica to protect Cocos Island National Park and the sharks. Costa Rica will have my word on this and the entire world will be on notice that I have made this pledge.
I feel it is better to move forward positively than to waste so much time in conflict and dispute, when there is a real possibility here to create something positive and effective in addressing the real issue and that is the protection and conservation of the marine eco-systems of Costa Rica.
So please everyone – tomorrow, be polite yet firm in requesting that the extradition be dropped. Tomorrow is the opportunity to speak to the German government. The Minister has the power to drop this extradition demand.
All of you participating have my deepest appreciation for taking the time to speak on behalf of securing my freedom and especially thank you for your passionate concern for the defense of life in our oceans.
Let us make history and take the lessons of Nelson Mandela to mind that we can work together because just as the strength of an eco-system is determined by diversity, the strength of an effective movement is determined by the diversity of imagination, resourcefulness, skills, and passions of a community of caring people.
We are a force for positive change and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society is proud of our record of saving lives without causing injury to life. We hold out our hand to Costa Rica and we respectfully request that Germany allow us to resolve this issue with integrity and a cooperative spirit.
Sincerely
Captain Paul Watson
BREAKING NEWS 5/21/12 - CAPTAIN PAUL WATSON HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM A GERMAN PRISON AND IS NOW FREE ON BOND.
http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/3/a/e/event_121721902.jpeg
However, your support is still urgently needed - keep emailing, writing, calling - what ever you can do to support Captain Paul Watson.
5/19/12
S.O.S. Day – Save Our Skipper – Wednesday May 23rd
For the past week, we have implored Sea Shepherd supporters to write to the Honorable German Ministers of Justice and Foreign Affairs. The decision to release Captain Watson on bail this Monday is the unmistakable result of the thousands of letters, emails, faxes, and phone calls that were sent this week. Granting bail to a non-German national is almost unheard of in an extradition proceeding.
While we have won a victory with the decision to allow Captain Paul Watson out on bail, the battle to save his life must now intensify. The Higher Regional Court in Frankfurt has confirmed together with the General Public Prosecutor that the authority to save Captain Paul Watson’s life belongs to the Honorable German Minister of Justice. Continue to write, call, email, and fax the Honorable German Ministers of Justice and Foreign Affairs.
These Honorable Ministers must see their way clear to act now as delineated by the General Public Prosecutor and Higher Regional Court. Captain Paul Watson is expecting his supporters worldwide to take our demands to save his life to the doorsteps of Germany’s diplomatic missions around the globe. We are calling for a Global Day of Action on Wednesday May 23rd. On this day the President of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla, will be visiting German Chancellor Merkel in Berlin. Wednesday May 23rd is S.O.S. Day – Save Our Skipper!
All around the world, Sea Shepherds will be making our voices heard at German embassies and consulates between 1100 and 1300 hours (local time). Organize or join the cacophony of voices at the closest German embassy or consulate and demand Captain Paul Watson’s freedom. We are confident that through your participation Germany will not carry out an extradition that would be the same as carrying out a death sentence. Captain Paul Watson’s enemies within the shark fin mafia are capable of reaching inside the prisons of Costa Rica. If extradited to Costa Rica, it is unlikely Captain Paul Watson would live to see the inside of a Costa Rican courthouse.
There is no location more important to assemble than where President Chinchilla will begin her head of state visit in Berlin. This meeting will open with full military honors 11:00 am at Schloss Bellevue. Rally to Captain Paul Watson’s side when he personally makes his stand at Schloss Bellevue. Specific details will be forthcoming here and on the Sea Shepherd Germany website.
We ask that Captain Paul Watson’s supporters continue to be respectful in their messaging. We are confident that with your help the President of Costa Rica, the German Chancellor, and Honorable Ministers of Germany will safeguard Captain Paul Watson’s human rights by not bowing to bogus accusations of shark fin poachers who are nothing more than common criminal.
German Honorary Consulate in Denver: 425 South Cherry Street, Suite 105, Denver Colorado 80246 (Postanschrift: Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany, 425 South Cherry Street, Suite 105, Denver Colorado 80246
Telephone Number
(German Honorary Consulate, Denver)
(303) 279 1551
Fax
(German Honorary Consulate, Denver)
(303) 295 0072
Email: denver@hk-diplo.de
5/18/12
CONTACT COLORADO'S U.S. SENATORS REGARDING CAPTAIN WATSON
Governor John W. Hickenlooper thinks this issue is very important, but because it is a federal issue, he urges us to contact U.S. Senator Mark Udall and U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, as well as our own Congressional Representative about the detainment in Germany and possible extradition to Costa Rica of Captain Paul Watson, a US Citizen, on politically motivated charges due to an incident in which Sea Shepherd uncovered an illegal shark finning operation 10 years ago.
U.S. Senator Mark Udall
999 18th StreetSuite 1525, North Tower
Denver, CO 80202
Phone: 303-650-7820
http://www.markudall.senate.gov/?p=contact_us
U.S. Senator Michael Bennet
2300 15th StreetSuite 450
Denver, Colorado 80202
Phone: (303) 455-7600
http://www.bennet.senate.gov/contact/
Your local Congressional Representative: http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/
Bogus Extradition Process to Proceed, but Captain Paul Watson Granted Bail Higher Regional Court Defers Judgment to Ministry of Justice
In an extraordinary move by the German Higher Regional Court in Frankfurt, the court has granted the general public prosecutor’s request for Captain Paul Watson’s preliminary arrest for extradition to Costa Rica. However, the court has also granted bail for Captain Paul Watson during the time the court considers whatever documentation Costa Rica is able to provide to substantiate their bogus allegations against Captain Paul Watson. It is expected that Captain Paul Watson will be freed on bail on Monday, May 21, 2012. Sea Shepherd’s legal team says this is an unusual, but promising move on the part of the Higher Regional Court and is further indication that the international campaigning efforts for Captain Paul Watson’s release are being heard in the chambers of justice in Germany.
In a press release, received towards the end of business hours Friday, the Higher Regional Court stated that "the question of whether or not Mr. Paul Watson will be extradited is not ultimately a decision by the Higher Regional Court but by the executive body which is the Ministry of Justice”.
Even the Higher Regional Court is stating that the Ministry of Justice in Germany can step in and prevent his extradition at any time. The international campaign to save Captain Paul Watson from a politically-motivated extradition to Costa Rica where he will not receive a fair trial, nor is it likely that he would even survive jail to see the inside of a courtroom, is having an effect. The Taiwanese shark fin mafia in Costa Rica has made threats on Captain Paul Watson’s life.
First the general public prosecutor stated in his motion to the Higher Regional Court, that the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have the power to stop the extradition process for political reasons. Now, the Higher Regional Court in Frankfurt is also deferring to the Ministry of Justice.
Sea Shepherd calls on its supporters in Germany and overseas to continue writing Federal Minister of Justice Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Guido Westerwelle and expressing their concern about a politically-motivated extradition that would be the same as a death sentence.
Sea Shepherd is planning a global day of action on Wednesday May 23, to coincide with a diplomatic visit to Germany by Costa Rican president Laura Chinchilla Miranda.
To view the current statement from the German courts (these sites are in German) click on the links below.
Oberlandesgericht Frankfurt am Main ordnet vorläufige Auslieferungshaft gegen Tierschutzaktivisten Paul Watson an und setzt Haftbefehl gegen Sicherheit außer Vollzug (http://www.olg-frankfurt.justiz.hessen.de/irj/OLG_Frankfurt_am_Main_Internet?rid=HMdJ_15/OLG_Frankfurt_am_Main_Internet/nav/d44/d4471596-ad85-e21d-0648-71e2389e4818,7d5407cc-539f-5731-f012-f312b417c0cf,,,11111111-2222-3333-4444-100000005004%26_ic_uCon_zentral=7d5407cc-539f-5731-f012-f312b417c0cf%26overview=true.htm&uid=d4471596-ad85-e21d-0648-71e2389e4818)
Auslieferungsverfahren gegen Tierschutzaktivisten Paul Watson (http://www.olg-frankfurt.justiz.hessen.de/irj/OLG_Frankfurt_am_Main_Internet?rid=HMdJ_15/OLG_Frankfurt_am_Main_Internet/nav/d44/d4471596-ad85-e21d-0648-71e2389e4818,d30288fd-add5-731f-012f-312b417c0cf4,,,11111111-2222-3333-4444-100000005004%26_ic_uCon_zentral=d30288fd-add5-731f-012f-312b417c0cf4%26overview=true.htm&uid=d4471596-ad85-e21d-0648-71e2389e4818)
More details to follow.
Please Call, Email, and Fax the following Ministers
Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger
Federal Minister of Justice
Deutscher Bundestag
Platz der Republik
11011 Berlin
Telephone 030 - 227 751 62
Fax 030 - 227 764 02
E-Mail: sabine.leutheusser-schnarrenberger@bundestag.de
Federal Ministry of Justice
Mohrenstrasse
37 10117 Berlin
Germany
Telephone: +49 (030) 18 580-0
Telefax: +49 (030) 18 580-9525
Dr. Guido Westerwelle - Minister of Foreign Affairs
FDP-Bundestagsfraktion
Platz der Republik 1 11011
Berlin
Tel.: 030 / 22771636
Fax: 030 / 22776562
E-Mail: guido.westerwelle@bundestag.de
Captain Paul Watson Needs Your Continued Help!
Please contact the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who can free Captain Paul Watson. Contact info: Dr. Guido Westerwelle; Phone: 030 22771636 Email: guido.westerwelle@bundestag.de
Germany Considers Sending Whale Defender to What Will be a Death Sentence in Costa Rica
http://www.seashepherd.org/images/stories/news/2012/news_120516_1_1_Sea_Shepherd-0234_FINAL.jpgToday in Frankfurt, Germany the general Public Prosecutor to the Higher Regional Court requested a preliminary extradition arrest warrant against Captain Paul Watson, on the basis of the local arrest warrant and request for extradition from Costa Rica. In a highly unusual move, the Public Prosecutor stated that the German Ministry of Justice and the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs have the power to stop the extradition procedures on political grounds.
If the German Ministry of Justice and/or the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs give notice that they would not grant an extradition of Paul Watson to Costa Rica the case would be over, and Captain Watson would be set free immediately. We ask our supporters to continue to appeal the German Ministry of Justice for help.
Sea Shepherd representatives were able to visit Captain Watson in the Frankfurt prison this morning and they were able to record the following statement from Captain Watson:
In our efforts to defend the lives of whales, dolphins, seals, sharks, and fish we have made some powerful enemies, most notably the government of Japan. It is no coincidence that the extradition request by Costa Rica was issued the same month (October 2011) as the Japanese whaling (ICR) lawsuit against Sea Shepherd was initiated. The extradition request was in reference to a complaint from Costa Rican fishermen who I caught poaching in Guatemalan waters. The fishermen were not injured and their boat was not damaged. The incident was fully documented for the film Sharkwater. Interpol originally denied this extradition order and deemed it as politically motivated. Therefore the question must be asked why Germany is now taking into account accusations made by illegal poachers.”- Captain Paul Watson
Captain Watson has travelled extensively throughout the world since the Costa Rican government issued this arrest warrant in October of 2011. He has been to Australia, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, etc. None of these countries have sought to arrest Captain Watson as Germany has.
Should Captain Watson be extradited to Costa Rica, he will certainly not receive a fair trial and his safety cannot be guaranteed. Sea Shepherd is doing everything it can to provide Captain Watson the best legal defense team possible. Between the illegal Japanese whalers and the shark finning mafia in Costa Rica, Captain Watson has formidable enemies who seek to stop his efforts to defend marine life.
Your generous donation will help keep Captain Watson out of harm’s way, and will allow him to fulfill his mission: to protect marine creatures while there is still hope.
Donate at http://www.seashepherd.org/donate http://external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=AQBhyT0HeWe1XSGR&w=90&h=90&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmy.seashepherd.org%2FNetCommunity%2Fview.image%3Fid%3D837 (http://www.seashepherd.org/donate) Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (http://www.seashepherd.org/donate) my.seashepherd.org
BREAKING NEWS: Today at 6:00pm, the German Minister of Justice announced that she would NOT oppose Captain Watson's extradition to Costa Rica. This means he will be in prison for the next 90 days while Costa Rica argues their case for extradition.
Sea Shepherd needs you to help with legal fees! Please support your Captain! Support the sharks!
Donate at http://www.seashepherd.org/donate http://external.ak.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=AQBhyT0HeWe1XSGR&w=90&h=90&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmy.seashepherd.org%2FNetCommunity%2Fview.image%3Fid%3D837 (http://www.seashepherd.org/donate) Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (http://www.seashepherd.org/donate) my.seashepherd.org
Dear Friend of Sea Shepherd,
Below is a link to the press conference held in Frankfurt, Germany 5/16/12 - please view and pass along - also, please take the time to email Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenger (see below). Thank you for you concern and help in this important matter.
Dear Friend of Sea Shepherd,
All hands on deck! Captain Paul Watson has been arrested in Germany and may be extradited to Costa Rica where he will face a politically motivated, unfair trial — unless you help!
We have less than 15 hours to make our case to Germany's Federal Minister of Justice. Her name is Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger. She is the only person in the world who can step in to overturn the decision of the lower courts in Germany and keep Captain Watson from being extradited to Costa Rica. If she does not make this decision in the next 15 hours, Captain Watson will be held in jail in Germany for 90 days pending an appeal process prior to his extradition.
We cannot allow Captain Watson to be extradited to Costa Rica or be held in a German prison for 90 days. He has too much work to do for the oceans!
Please be respectful in your communications and contact the Federal Minister of Justice (http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/2012/05/15/urgent-call-to-sea-shepherd-supporters-help-save-captain-watson-from-extradition-to-costa-rica-1376).
Sea Shepherd has many upcoming hurdles to face — in the water and in the courtroom. We will not stand down in the face of corruption and greed. In addition to contacting the Federal Minister of Justice, please make a donation to keep us afloat (http://my.seashepherd.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=276). We depend on you.
For the oceans,
Sea Shepherd HQ
P.S. We have written a sample letter (http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/2012/05/15/urgent-call-to-sea-shepherd-supporters-help-save-captain-watson-from-extradition-to-costa-rica-1376) and given you the Minister's contact information (http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/2012/05/15/urgent-call-to-sea-shepherd-supporters-help-save-captain-watson-from-extradition-to-costa-rica-1376) on our website. Don't delay.
Your help is needed now to #FreePaulWatson.