Animal rights activists organized a protest against law no. 7527
Quick Look
- Animal rights defenders gathered in various cities of Turkey on October 4, World Animal Day, and protested against the changes in the Animal Protection Law No.
- Activists described the law as a "slaughter law" and brought up animal deaths and insufficient shelter capacity after it came into force.
- We Will Keep It Alive Platform and Animal Life Freedom Initiative announced that they launched a signature campaign to the Turkish Grand National Assembly, demanding the cancellation of the law and a new regulation based on the 'Neuter, vaccinate, keep alive' model.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The amendments made to the Animal Protection Law No. 7527 are criticized by animal rights advocates, describing them as a 'slaughter law'. Demonstrations against the law are organized in cities such as Istanbul and Kadıköy.
Animal rights defenders took to the streets all over Turkey on October 4, World Animal Day. Animal lovers raised their voices against the law regarding the amendment of the animal protection law numbered 7527, known to the public as the "slaughter law". Right to life defenders, who filled the squares in many cities, especially Istanbul, yesterday, drew attention to the human rights violations and massacres that have occurred since the law came into force and demanded that the regulation be canceled immediately.
Members of the We Will Keep Alive Platform, who came together at Beşiktaş Pier Square in Istanbul, pointed out the inconsistency between shelter capacities and the population of street animals and asked the following questions to the authorities: "When the law was passed, it was stated that there were four million stray animals in Turkey and the shelter capacity did not exceed two hundred thousand. When we look at the data announced by the competent authorities today and the number of adoptions, we ask: Where are the three million animals in a country with a capacity of two hundred thousand? Those who announce these figures must account for how and where these unaccounted lives are slaughtered." “It has to.”
CALL TO THE ASSEMBLY
In the continuation of the statement, details of the signature campaign launched to cancel the law and replace it with a new regulation based on the "sterilize, vaccinate, keep alive" model were shared. Representatives of the We Will Keep Alive Platform and the Animal Life Freedom Initiative, who stated that they have exceeded ten thousand signatures, addressed the Turkish Grand National Assembly: "Unfortunately, our concerns have become reality. Hundreds of thousands of dogs have been snatched from life on the streets and in shelters since the law came into force. We demand that the regulation that legitimizes the massacres be immediately annulled, and a law that ensures that not a single life will be snatched from life be passed."
Another address of the protests in Istanbul was Kadıköy. Gathering in front of Süreyya Opera, Osmanağa Paws and right to life advocates stated that stray animals are not alone and emphasized that the struggle will continue.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Re-discussion on the law will be initiated with a signature campaign to the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
Likely · Within weeks
Animal rights protests will expand to other cities.
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- It is not clearly stated how many animals died after the law came into force.
- If shelter capacity will be increased, how much and when will this capacity be completed?
- How many signatures is the target of the signature campaign and when will these signatures be presented to the Turkish Grand National Assembly?
