Act on Norway’s Whaling

Case 40-2018: Japan & Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Act on Norway’s Whaling

On March 15, 2018, an International Repudiation Act is issued to the Minister for Fisheries Per Sandberg of the Government of Norway. He publicly stated that he will authorize the hunting of 1278 whales in just one year, thus violating the International Customary Law established by the International Whaling Commission that prohibits whaling. The Buddhist Tribunal on Human Rights makes this repudiation because in recent years Norway would even be doing an ecocide and extermination of whales much worse than the one that Japan is carrying out.

While it is recognized that Norway claims historical and cultural rights in the practice of whaling, these rights are not above the right to life and peace that non-human persons have, especially when these beings possess high levels of feeling and intelligence, such as whales and dolphins. In addition, as with human rights, Norway should learn that International Law is constantly evolving, so that it has the duty of accepting the agreements contributing to its progress. Therefore, it is confirmed that while it is supported the fact that the government of Norway continues its great ecological system of sustainable development in favor of forestation and the lowering of carbon emissions, such country is also required to respect International Law and the rights of non-human beings, especially beings with evolved consciousnesses. Otherwise Norway will be disrespectful of the sacredness of life, committing crimes against nature. Ergo, the Buddhist Tribunal on Human Rights dictates that every government carrying out whaling, such as Japan, Norway and Iceland will be carrying out acts of ecocide, crimes against nature and violations of International Law.

Always with spirit of reconciliation (maitri),

Master Maitreya Samyaksambuddha

President and Judge of the International Buddhist Ethics Committee & Buddhist Tribunal on Human Rights