International Court of Justice orders Japan to suspend its Antarctic whaling program
31 March 2014
The International Court of Justice has today upheld Australia’s bid to ban Japan’s Antarctic whaling program.
ICJ president Peter Tomka said the court concluded the scientific permits granted by Japan for its whaling program were not scientific research as defined under International Whaling Commission rules. The Court had found, by a majority of twelve votes, that Japan had conducted a program for logistical and political considerations, rather than scientific research. There is of course no appeal against an ICJ ruling and Japan has officially said that it will comply with the ruling.
The following is based on the ICJ’s press release.
Findings of the Court
First, the Court dismissed Japan’s argument that the Court had no jurisdiction over the dispute, submitted by Australia.
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