Rise in violence by animal rights extremists
by Daniel Mason
Fifty-eight experts from the EU agencies Europol and Eurojust, meeting in The Hague last week, recommended that EU member states cooperate more closely to tackle the violence, which increasingly includes the use of improvised explosive devices and improvised incendiary devices.
Forensic evidence reveals similarities in the methods and devices used by campaigners in different countries – indicating that operations are organised on an international level. The conference heard that more than ever, single issue activists, for example targeting the fur or pharmaceutical industries, are working together, including with anarchist groups, to achieve maximum impact. Methods include threatening phone calls and emails, the intimidation of families of targets by attacking their property, and releasing animals from captivity.
Rob Wainwright, Director of Europol, said in a statement: "We are concerned by the increasing levels of violence used by animal rights extremists and their tendency to collaborate with other extremists in society. Europol is committed to helping law enforcement authorities in the EU and partners in industry to prevent the further spread of this activity. The conference at Europol's new headquarters was an important milestone in these efforts."
In its recommendations the conference said that a new dialogue on animal welfare, to give protesters a forum for their opinions, should be led by the EU, more technical information should be shared internationally and a common strategy should be developed with the corporate security community. It was also emphasised that the peaceful defence of animal welfare is legitimate and fully supported by the EU.
Three arrests were made today in the UK and the Netherlands as part of a Europe-wide investigation into alleged blackmail linked to animal rights extremism
The authorities offer dialogue on animal welfare, ignoring the fact that animal rights is the issue that should really concern us. Animal welfare means the continuation of animal usage for commercial, scientific and other purposes, and every discussion about such "welfare" will only ever means less pain, bigger cages, longer leashes etc.
Animal rights, on the other hand, means no pain, no cage, no leash at all. Unpopular as that may be in mainstream society, science and industry, it represents the only real way forward from where we have been for Millenia. The usage of "violence" - and let's be honest: never is it used against humans directly (as opposed to what is done to animals routinely - and that is violence too, and of a different sort again) - in fighting for animal rights is an expression of desperation, nothing else.
The message is not being heard, it is not even considered (and this article is yet another example of that) and personally I applaud all who put their life and their liberty on the line for the cause of animal rights. Sea Shepherd does that, and they are called criminals, terrorists and what not by those who flout what scant protection there is for the world's last big marine mammals - while the rest of us sit and watch.
Animal rights is on par with human rights - and abolishing slavery was an uphill fight just as this one is. With the only difference that the humans concerned were eventually able to take their defence and their rights in their own hands; animals cannot do that.
And they need people to speak for and to act on their behalf. What the European Union is told to fight by law enforcement agencies is the dawn of a new time, of a new age - where all life is equal and deserves equal protection from abuse and murder. Lest we forget: in China, an outspoken defender of human rights is an extremist who is punished, locked away or otherwise gotten rid of.
Whenever that happens, the EU raises a wagging finger of disapproval. A thing it should think about very carefully in future if it intends to hunt down those who stand up for what is right on its own ground.
Diana Hartig - Germany
It seems that years of work to shed light on animal abuse is paying off. Even more so with the spred of social media. It is hard to imagine violence having a good effect on this movement.
The undoing of slavery was during a very different time. We now have the tools and means to spread the truth about animal abuse. While indifference towards torture can be extremely frustrating, the fight for common understanding will be what frees animals eventually. Violence can only divide us further.
Ron - USA
I guess the AR folks are just fed up. For many years they've tried reasonable and meaningful dialogue with industries such as animal research, animal agriculture, fur and entertainment - yet, continue to witness the abhorant cruelty and disregard for the creatures that share our earth.
An animal feels pain, fear and loneliness perhaps more than we do. An animals life is just as important to him as your life is to you. I guess the AR folk are simply disgusted and see no other way to stop animal abusers.
Too many appalling excuses are made to continue needless, wanton acts of cruelty. Perhaps, AR folk are sick and tired of the lies behind industry ads or any mode of decency or compassion.
CK - Animals Canada
As a UKIP member, I am disappointed to see no mention in the manifesto about the increasing concerns over animal welfare - especially the upcoming 2013 deadline on animal testing, which is being hotly lobbied against.
Botox is another item which is totaly unecessarily tested on animals (300 mice per day killed at one UK lab) in the interests of vanity. Therefore, I can understand the feeling of impotence held by some groups, leading to extremism. Let us not forget that terrorism in some cases has brought about changes and indeed some former terrorists are now in governments (Israel,NI etc).
The animal rights/welfare issue will not go away so we should deal with it decisively., where do you stand?
Michell Glaiser - Sherborne, UK
