Source: European Parliament
EU law does not apply to the requested extradition in the case at issue, as neither the EU nor Denmark have concluded bilateral agreements on extradition with Japan.
In line with its Article 51(1), the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU is addressed to Member States only when they are implementing EU law.
In situations such as the present one, where there is no link with the implementation of EU law, it is for Member States, including their courts, to ensure that fundamental rights are effectively respected and protected, in accordance with their national legislation and international human rights obligations, including the European Convention on Human Rights.
The right to protest at sea is considered an internationally lawful use of the sea and thus an exercise of the flag State’s freedom of navigation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The protest shall remain peaceful and should not threaten human life, the marine environment or property.
The EU and its Member States maintain a firm stance against whaling and uphold the International Whaling Commission’s (IWC) moratorium on commercial whaling.
Within the IWC, the EU and its Member States that are Party to the International Convention for the regulation of Whaling (ICRW) promote cooperation to ensure an effective international regulatory framework for the conservation and management of whales.
The aim is to ensure a significant improvement in the conservation status of whales and bring all whaling operations by IWC members under IWC control.
For countries that are not parties to the ICRW, the EU has consistently voiced strong concerns over any whaling activities and will continue to use all diplomatic channels to engage with these countries and discourage such practices.