Allow Captain Paul Watson Come Home
End Canada’s Enforcement of Japan’s Red Notice

To: The Government of Canada and Prime Minister Mark Carney

“When the ocean dies, we die.”
— Captain Paul Watson
 
Canada has long prided itself on standing for human rights, environmental leadership, and moral clarity.

So why is our government still enforcing a politically motivated Interpol Red Notice from Japan — a country embarrassed by one man’s lifelong defence of the oceans?

That man is Captain Paul Watson — Canadian-born, co-founder of Greenpeace, founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and the Captain Paul Watson Foundation, and one of the most effective ocean conservationists in history.

His nonviolent direct actions have helped dismantle more than 90% of the world’s commercial whaling operations since 1977. He has risked his life more times than most of our elected officials have risked a tough vote.

And yet — Canada continues to uphold a Red Notice filed by Japan, a nation desperate to silence the man who exposed its illegal whaling operations to the world.

Let us be clear: the basis for this Red Notice was filmed and publicly discredited. The footage reveals Japan as the aggressor, not Watson.

 
This is not justice. This is cowardice wrapped in red tape.
Captain Watson’s efforts are celebrated around the globe.
From President Emmanuel Macron, who personally welcomed him home to France, to activists and governments across France, Brazil, and the UK, the world has recognised him as what he is: a hero, not a criminal.

Even Interpol suspended the Red Notice in April 2025, acknowledging its blatantly political nature — a violation of Interpol’s own constitution.

And yet, Canada stays silent.
Captain Watson remains in exile, unable to return to the country whose flag he carried into countless confrontations to protect our shared oceans.

 
What We Demand:
The immediate rejection by the Canadian Government of Japan’s Red Notice against Captain Paul Watson.
A formal declaration of safe passage and the unconditional right of return for Captain Watson to Canada.
A public commitment to reject politically motivated prosecutions of environmental defenders on Canadian soil.
 
This is no longer about one man.
This is about the soul of our country.

Do we yield to pressure from whalers and corrupted regimes?

Or do we stand up for those who have defended life on Earth — for the oceans, for justice, and for future generations?

Captain Watson is a hero.
Captain Watson is a beacon of hope.
Captain Watson is Canada.

And it’s time we bring him home.

 
Sign now to demand that the Canadian government end its complicity in this international injustice.

We don’t abandon our heroes.
Not to whalers.
Not to bullies.
Not to anyone.