WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 10, 2008) –
The Animal Welfare
Institute (AWI) has announced Senator
John Kerry (D-MA) as the latest recipient of its “Profiles in
Compassion” award, recognizing his strong commitment to protecting
animals and their habitats. One of the few members of the US Senate
to rate a perfect 100 percent on AWI’s
Compassion Index, Senator Kerry recently introduced S. Con. Res. 86,
a resolution that calls on the Bush Administration to stand up for
whales at the annual International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting
to be held in Chile later this month.
"In the face of increasing pressure
from pro-whaling nations, the US must reclaim its historic position
as a leader in whale conservation and support the moratorium on
commercial whaling. The time is running short to protect the world’s
dwindling whale populations,” said Senator Kerry, who has been
actively working on the whaling issue for years. In February, he was
co-host with House Natural Resources Committee Chair Nick Rahall of
a Save the Whales Again! press conference featuring actress Hayden
Panettiere.
The United States is the current
chair of the IWC, the international body founded over 60 years ago
to be responsible for the conservation of whales. Since that time,
a ban on commercial whaling has been instituted, two sanctuaries
have been established, and attitudes toward whale conservation have
improved. However, Japan, Norway and Iceland have flouted the
whaling ban and continue to whale for commercial gain by exploiting
loopholes in the IWC Convention. Under the moratorium, these
countries have killed more than 25,000 whales, including over 11,000
who were taken under the guise of “scientific research.” Norway and
Iceland have also resumed the trade in whale meat with Japan, in
flagrant defiance of an international ban on such trafficking.
Although the United States was an
outspoken proponent of protecting the whales, most recently, US
officials have not exercised their leadership position. The whaling
ban is now in jeopardy, since the pro-whaling faction has recruited
allied nations to join the IWC and convince fellow members that the
body is unworkable and at an impasse. Once pro-conservation
countries are now on the brink of capitulation and are in desperate
need of leadership.
Instead of steering the IWC away
from surrendering, the United States is rumored to have initiated
deals with the whalers to facilitate a resumption of whaling.
Having led international efforts in the IWC to adopt the ban on
commercial whaling two decades ago, AWI believes that the United
States must stop capitulating to whalers, heed the US Congress, and
act now before it is too late.
“Acknowledging the need for strong
leadership on the issue of whaling, Senator Kerry’s resolution sends
the message that the United States must not be bullied into
submission by pro-whaling interests,” said Chris Heyde, AWI’s deputy
director of government and legal affairs. “AWI commends Senator Kerry for his
strong stance against whaling, as well as his support for other
important animal protection measures, including an end to horse
slaughter and dog fighting.”
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For More
Information:
Chris Heyde, (202) 446-2142
For over 57 years, the Animal Welfare Institute has been the leading voice for
animals across the country and on Capitol Hill to reduce the sum total of pain
and fear inflicted on animals by humans. To learn more about us, please visit
www.awionline.org.
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