In relation to the conviction of animal rights activists by the court on August 7, the Government of the Faroe Islands has the following statement:
“The Government of the Faroe Islands values the right to protest, which is a fundamental part of any democracy. But law and order must be maintained and violation of our laws will be dealt with by the police and the legal system.
The intention of the Faroese whaling law (Grindalógin) is to ensure that the utilisation of pilot whales for food can be carried out according to the regulations. Obstructing a whale drive can be dangerous and can put people and property at risk.
The utilisation of pilot whales for food is a legal activity in the Faroe Islands. And just as freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest are legal rights, so is the right of the Faroese people to make good use of their natural resources, including pilot whales.
Whaling in the Faroe Islands is conducted in accordance with international law and globally recognized principles of sustainable development. Catches are sustainable and fully regulated, with emphasis on animal welfare. It is a natural part of Faroese life and pilot whale meat and blubber remains a cherished supplement to households across the islands.”
More information on whaling in the Faroe Islands is available at: www.whaling.fo
Contact Páll Nolsøe, Communication Advisor, for more information: tel. +298 551028, palln@tinganes.fo