RELEASE OF GREENPEACE INCINERATOR PROTESTORS IN JAPAN FOLLOWS DISCOVERY OF DIOXIN AS MAJOR CANCER CAUSE

19 May 2000

TOKYO/AMSTERDAM -- The four Greenpeace activists, who were arrested May 9th in Tokyo after a peaceful protest against a Tokyo waste incinerator, today were finally released from the Tokyo District Court after having being jailed 11 days.

The news of the dioxin protesters freedom comes just two days after a leaked report from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed that dioxin is ten times more toxic than was previously recognised, and in certain populations can cause one cancer for every hundred persons. The EPA report, exposed by the Washington Post, concludes without any doubt that dioxin causes cancer in humans. Dioxin is also linked to a wide array of health problems including changes in hormone levels and developmental defects of babies.

Waste incinerators are a major source of dioxin emissions world wide. Japan has the highest levels of dioxin in the world and it contributes about 40% of the global dioxin emissions.

"Anyone who still doubts why Greenpeace felt compelled to warn the Japanese public about the grave threat from dioxin hopefully now fully understands that this issue is a matter of life and death for all of us. Our children are in particular danger," said Ayako Sakine, Toxics Campaigner for Greenpeace Japan.

The Greenpeace incinerator protesters were charged with trespass and freed after they agreed to pay fines of 70,000 yen ($660 US) each. Al Baker (United Kingdom), Marleen van Poeck (Belgium), Clement Lam (Hong Kong/Canada) and Paul Schot (the Netherlands) were met by family members who had come to Tokyo to further protest against the detention without charges or trial.

"We were simply peaceful messengers of a very serious toxic emergency in Japan," said Clement Lam, one of the arres ed climbers. "The real criminal trespassers are dioxins which enter our children's bodies through the food they eat, and the air they breathe, to reek biological destruction."

This week Greenpeace around the world conducted protests at Japanese embassies claiming that the detentions were unjust and designed to silence a peaceful protest against toxic emissions damaging the environment and human health.

Greenpeace Executive Director Sanae Shida said, "It is a tremendous relief to see the four free again and able to go back to their home countries. Many thanks to all who supported us in the campaign to obtain their release, to the many Japanese non-governmental environment groups, and to Amnesty International. But we denounce the totally unwarranted, repressive measures taken against us by the Japanese authorities, which serve to protect obsolete government policies rather than the health of the Japanese public," she said.

Given the new dioxin findings, Greenpeace called on an immediate halt to all incinerator construction in Japan and the implementation of a zero dioxin emission goal.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

- Sanae Shida, Executive Director of Greenpeace Japan, Tel: +81 90 2252 95 28;
- Ayako Sekine, Greenpeace Japan Toxics Campaigner, Tel: +81 90 2254 0114;
- Jim Puckett, Greenpeace Campaigner, Tel: +81 90 1054 5443;
- Ship Rainbow Warrior (for after 18.00 hrs. in Tokyo): Tel: +81 90 1666 5075

In Europe:
- Juantxo Lopez de Uralde, Greenpeace Toxic Campaign Coordinator, Tel: +34 09468954;
- Mamie Mutchler, Greenpeace International Legal Advisor, Tel: +31 20 523 6289;
- Mika Railo, Press Officer Greenpeace International, Tel: +31 621296908.

Footage and pictures will be available from Greenpeace International picture desk website: www.greenpeace.org/library/picturedesk.html

More information on Greenpeace's Toxic Free Asia Tour available here:
www.greenpeace.org/~toxics/toxfreeasia/index.html