Greenpeace blasts Gibraltar over detention of activists

SEVILLE, Spain (AFP) Jul 24, 2003
Environmental group Greenpeace on Thursday criticised Gibraltar's authorities for arresting several of its activists who tried to board an oil tanker, saying their detention violated the UN International Law of the Sea Convention.

Juan Lopez de Uralde, director of Greenpeace-Spain, told a press conference that what he termed the "illegal arrests" of six activists and 12 journalists clearly violated at least four aspects of the Convention.

He also called for the scrapping of a legal action against his group scheduled for September 23.

The activists and two of the journalists are due to answer charges of resisting arrest, contempt for the authorities, reckless behaviour and boarding the single hulled oil tanker Vemamagna, anchored in Algeciras Bay opposite Gibraltar, a British possession.

Greenpeace activists say the Vememagna is an oil hazard and blames Europe for not doing enough to ensure the safe transport of hazardous substances.

vars/cw/jfs

TERRA.WIRE