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| Greenpeace action against the world's tallest toxic waste incinerator |
Four Greenpeace campaigners face a further ten days in a Tokyo jail after being arrested on Tuesday 9th May for hanging a banner from an incinerator. The four - from Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands and Hong Kong - have not been charged or put on trial but are being held under draconian Japanese laws that allow sustained detention for those engaged in peaceful protests.
The four Greenpeace volunteers were detained after they scaled the tower of the world's tallest incinerator, the 210 metre Toshima Ward, to protest against Japan's reckless waste incineration policy, which results in some of the world's highest dioxin emissions. The volunteers had also hung a banner proclaiming Tokyo as the world's dioxin capital. Dioxins are highly toxic chemicals generated by incineration which have been linked to cancer and birth defects and could seriously compromise environmental and public health.
The decision to further detain the Greenpeace climbers coincides with a police raid on the Rainbow Warrior, moored in Tokyo harbour. The police raid lasted for three and a half hours and resulted in the seizing of information and campaign handouts together with some office documents.
Joel Stewart, Captain of the Rainbow Warrior, said: " We are appalled by this over-reaction from the Japanese authorities. This police action against Greenpeace is totally unwarranted and too heavy-handed. Our protest was non-violent and should not have been met with these repressive acts. We will not allow these measures to interfere with our right to peacefully protest against those who damage the environment."
Notes to editors: (1) The four arrested climbers are Al Baker (United Kingdom), Marleen van Poeck (Belgium), Clement Lam (Canada-Hong Kong) and Paul Schot (the Netherlands).
