{"id":762436,"date":"2020-12-14T09:59:10","date_gmt":"2020-12-14T14:59:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/animalrightswatch.us\/?p=762436"},"modified":"2020-12-14T09:59:10","modified_gmt":"2020-12-14T14:59:10","slug":"politicians-in-turkey-set-aside-differences-to-enact-revolutionary-animal-rights-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/animalrightswatch.us\/?p=762436","title":{"rendered":"Politicians in Turkey set aside differences to enact revolutionary animal rights law"},"content":{"rendered":"\t
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Ali \u00d6ztun\u00e7: Rights are not given, they are taken. Our animal friends have inherent rights, like us, and their rights are currently being violated by us humans.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\n

NURBANU KIZIL:<\/strong> Rights are not given, they are taken. But the politicians, animal rights activists and animal lovers in Turkey agree that this is not the case for animals, who cannot speak up to defend their rights and their protection depends on the prerogative and mercy of others. There could be a light at the end of the tunnel as the country’s political parties have put aside their differences and may soon enact a new law to tackle the country\u2019s animal rights problem by revamping existing laws to impose stricter punishment for offenders. The law is up next on Parliament\u2019s agenda following the budget debates, according to lawmakers.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur animal friends have inherent rights, like us, and their rights are currently being violated by us humans,\u201d main opposition Republican People\u2019s Party (CHP) Kahramanmara\u015f deputy Ali \u00d6ztun\u00e7 told Daily Sabah, adding that it is necessary for all politicians to fight against the massacre, extinction, torture and maltreatment of animals, as well as their economic exploitation and the destruction of their habitats. Highlighting that the draft has been prepared in cooperation with all political parties in the Turkish Parliament, the main opposition lawmaker noted that the most important feature of the law is the fact that it criminalizes violence against animals, replacing the treatment of animals like commodities rather than living beings…<\/p>\n

The issue of animal rights has been on the agenda of the Turkish government in the past decade, as there has been immense public pressure from all circles of life on politicians to come up with a solution. Footage of torture and cruelty against animals has made headlines several times, outraging the public and animal rights organizations. All political parties \u2013 including the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), the main opposition Republican People\u2019s Party (CHP), Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Good Party (IP) \u2013 are working to update the country\u2019s existing law, which has been criticized for lacking necessary measures to ensure the protection of animals…<\/p>\n

After over a decade of discussions, two drafts have been prepared by the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization and Parliament\u2019s Animal Rights Research Commission, which will finally define animals as living beings instead of \u201ccommodities,\u201d to allow tougher punishment and deter exploitation and violence. By defining animals as living beings, the law will allow courts to treat crimes against animals on the same level as violence against humans, replacing the existing definition which sets offenders free with fines…<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to recognize the rights of animals, ensure their rights are actively protected and identify the mechanisms that can be contacted during times of violations,\u201d he said, adding that the draft is promising as it criminalizes violence against animals and proposes deterring punishment measures. Meanwhile, the opposition politician called on Parliament Speaker Mustafa \u015eentop to bring the draft to the Parliament to vote it into law. \u201cMr. \u015eentop, please, hear our calls and take action so we can enact this law with consensus,\u201d he added…<\/p>\n

Although Turkish people are historically known for their compassion and care for animals, incidents of torture and cruelty targeting strays and others and the lack of deterring punishment have outraged activists and animal lovers… AK Party Istanbul deputy R\u00fcmeysa Kadak,… who is the youngest lawmaker in the Turkish Parliament, continued by saying that the widespread use of social media in the country greatly contributes to transparency with regard to the crimes committed against animals. \u201cSocial media has allowed us to listen to countless numbers of animal lovers and listen to their views about the law. We need to take everyone\u2019s opinion and carry out work to address existing criticism,\u201d Kadak said…<\/p>\n

Kadak, an ambitious animal lover who frequently visits shelters and is actively involved in promoting animal rights, says the time has come as there is consensus among politicians, the public and activists to pass the law. Highlighting that she has received positive feedback about the commission report from animal lovers and activists, who are eagerly waiting for a law proposal in the General Assembly. The young lawmaker expressed confidence that the proposal would make it right after the budget debates, which are expected to end on Dec. 18. \u201cAnd after that, we expect the animal rights law to be the first thing on our agenda,\u201d she said. SOURCE…<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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