LETTERS SENT IN 2006-5
http://bz.berlin1.de/aktuell/berlin/060325/affen.html
From: ActionAgainstPoisoning
To
info@volkswagenstiftung.de
Sent: Friday, April 28, 2006 2:05 PM
Subject: Intended animal experiments in Berlin
To the Secretary General of the Volkswagen Foundation
Attention of Dr. Wilhelm Krull
Kastanienallee 35
30519 Hannover, Deutschland
Reference: Intended animal experiments in Berlin
Dear Doctor Krull,
Action Against Poisoning fights animal poisoning in particular and supports
animal protection in general. We have been informed that a new centre for
brain research will arise in Berlin and we understand that the Volkswagen
Foundation will sponsor this research centre.
As it appears a German scientist intends to research the function of vision
in monkeys or apes. We presume that you are well informed on the protocols
and applied methods for neurological experiments in the monkey brain
region. We want to remind you that similar research aimed at the treatment
of human brain disorders by Professsor Kreiter and his colleagues in Bremen
allegedly led to useless results for the past 8 years.
In our view the only relevant result of such research experiments is the
irrefutable fact of tremendous suffering and subsequent death of the apes
used in the trials. So we suggest the termination of the Bremen primate
research rather than the start of the Berlin experiments, let alone that
such research be sponsored by a renowned foundation. As the popularity of
animal experiments - on apes most vividly identified by humans - declines
rapidly, the support of such experiments might reflect badly on the image
of Volkswagen AG.
Irrespective of the exactness of the received information on the current and
intended German animal research efforts we strongly advise the Volkswagen
Foundation to refrain from any support of ethically controversial projects,
especially those violating animal protection ethics and laws.
With kind regards,
Drs P.M. Donker
Action Against Poisoning - Den Haag EU
*.*.*
Letter to UNESCO by Action Against Poisning :
Sent by: Action Against Poisoning
Date: Wed, 22 Feb 2006 17:00:52 +0100
To: cnu@unesco.pt , ich@unesco.org , bpi@unesco.org
Cc: ANIMAL miguel.moutinho@animal.org.pt
Subject: UNESCO to reject the proposal for bullfights to be recognised as cultural heritage
:: Action Against Poisoning :: UNESCO :: BULLFIGHTS ::
LETTER TO UNESCO - ARGUMENT AGAINST BULLFIGHTS ETC
From: ActionAgainstPoisoning
To: UNESCO
To the members of the UNESCO
Subject: Arguments against bullfights
Ladies and gentlemen,
Action Against Poisoning fights animal poisoning in particular and supports animal protection in general.
We have been informed by ANIMAL in Portugal that UNESCO will be approached again to include bullfights in the Cultural Heritage list. So we repeat our arguments as these are still valid.
As we understand such a listing protects or sponsors the cultural object or tradition involved.
We are curious what bullfight-jewels are in need of UNESCO protection.
If any bullring in the world would match the Coliseum we will understand the recognition of a monument, although we wonder why that did not happen before. So we surmise it is about the traditional display of the bullfight. This tradition involves the deliberate torture and subsequent killing of bulls either inside the arena (Spain) or outside the arena (Portugal).
If a mere tradition is the measure we might as well have supported and sponsored crucifixion, witch burning and scalping. History abolished such publicly celebrated violent traditions as very bad habits and not as cultural heritage of humanity. Which is understandable as civilized society regards violence as a public order risk. More advanced societies understand that animal abuse is a potential public (mental) health threat as well.
We are amazed that so few people realize that festivals based on animal cruelty create a joyful atmosphere of "having fun", influencing children in their moral concepts on the value of life.
Witnessing a bullfight either creates disgust and depression, or admiration for perpetrators of animal cruelty.
The nature and sequence of the human acts in bullfights can be defined as sadistic. Sadism is a certified if not contagious mental illness that we do not want to spread.
On the analogy of Indian or African tribal war dances we have no objections to the museological preservation of weapons and costumes and the theatrical display of the artful music, dancing and stabbing. But leave the bulls out of it as they - like any other animal - have never asked to play a role in an animal abusing human game.
We have no objection against the preservation of whatever beautiful or silly traditions as far as they are harmless to people and animals alike. Consequently we are totally against any support of the bullfight, let alone an addition of this traditional game to a cultural heritage list.
With kind regards,
Action Against Poisoning
http://www.actionagainstpoisoning.com
*.*.*.*.*
From: ActionAgainstPoisoning
Date: Monday, 07 Mar 2005
To: UNESCO - bpiweb@unesco.org
Fax number: +33 (0)1 45 67 16 90
To the members of the UNESCO
Subject: Arguments against bullfights
Ladies and gentlemen,
Action Against Poisoning fights animal poisoning in particular and supports animal protection in general.
We have been informed by FLAC that UNESCO is approached to include bullfights in the Cultural Heritage list. As we understand such a listing protects the cultural object or tradition involved.
We are curious what bullfight-jewels are in need of UNESCO protection.
If any bullring in the world matches the Coliseum we will understand, although we wonder why that did not happen before. So we surmise it is about the tradition. This tradition involves the deliberate torture and subsequent killing of bulls either inside or outside the arena.
If a mere tradition is the measure we might as well have supported and sponsored crucifixion, witch burning and scalping. History abolished such publicly celebrated violent traditions as very bad habits.
It should be noted that festivals based on animal cruelty create a joyful atmosphere of "having fun", influencing children in their moral concepts on the value of life. Witnessing a bullfight either creates disgust and depression, or admiration for the perpetrators of animal cruelty.
The nature and sequence of acts in bullfights can be defined as sadistic.
Sadism is a certified if not contagious mental illness that we do not want to spread.
On the analogy of Indian or African tribal war dances we have no objections to the museological preservation of weapons and costumes and the theatrical display of the artful music, dancing and stabbing. But leave the bulls out of it.
So we ask you to decide if the bullfight, i.e. a bad habit forming a mental health threat is a worthy addition to the list of cultural heritage.
With kind regards,
Action Against Poisoning.com
Letter sent by Action Against Poisoning 2 March 2005:
Action Against Poisoning
The Hague
to Portuguese League Against Cancer
Ms. Maria Manuela Bandeira de Melo, chair of the Board
E-mail: info@ligacontracancro.pt
Address: Av. Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro, n.º 57 - 3.º F,
1070-061 Lisboa, Portugal
Phone: 00 351 21 722 18 10
Fax: 00 351 21 726 80 59
2 March 2005
Ladies and gentlemen,
We were informed that you have staged a bullfight in a small town called Coruche in the southern region of Portugal on 26 February 2005 to sponsor your work on behalf of people with cancer.
We applaud your work as we know that - although the acceptance of and care for people with cancer has greatly improved - there is much to be done yet.
However, we are saddened by the fact that you have chosen for a bullfight as it reflects the opposite of your goal: fighting cancer.
We are saddened by the fact that a welfare fund collects its money by torturing animals. Apart from this ethical aspect we thought that bullfights are illegal in Portugal.
We hope that you have not invited cancer patients to attend the bullfight and warmed them to the art of torture and subsequent killing. They probably are too gentle and caring to take to it.
Anyway, we hope to have made it clear that welfare and care are totally incompatible with the abuse of animals. Where your association tries to fight a lethal disease, we see cruelty towards animals as a growing mental health threat.
So please refrain from such bullfights in the future as it will harm your good cause in general and your organization especially.
Yours sincerely,
Action Against Poisoning
Subject: Killing of Army guard dogs from the Matacan Base.
From: ActionAgainstPoisoning
Date: Thu, 03 Mar 2005 19:59:21 +0000
To: minisdef@ext.mde.es
Cc: infodefensa@mde.es ; atencionclientes@prisacom.com ; administrador-web@psoe.es ;
Bcc: brighteyes@brighteyes.dk
Subject: Killing of Army guard dogs from the Matacan Base.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Action Against Poisoning fights animal poisoning in particular and supports animal protection in general.
We are informed that plans are made to kill trained army dogs in the process of closing-down the Army Dog Training Unit at the Matacan Base. Allegedly the Army refuses to cooperate with animal protection organizations to re-home the dogs, and insists to kill those dogs.
We expect from a professional military unit to search for non-killing solutions for their obsolete enlisted dog personnel, as they have most likely served their country with the greatest loyalty, devotion and honor.
We can understand your concern about the possible aggressive attitude of trained attack dogs. However, we also know that professional animal protectors have come forward to handle that potential problem and who are willing to take over the full responsibility. As we have never met a dismissed army dog betraying state secrets, we believe that there are no obstacles to offer those dogs a new civil life.
So please do not execute your servants but give them a medal for rendered services and transfer them with a respectful farewell to the proper organizations for re-homing.
With kind regards,
See also in this web site European Union
URGENT - ACTION NEEDED
Protest against Article III-121 in the current version of the proposed EU-constitution!
Please send an urgent letter to the relevant executive bodies in any European country
see model letter below
English http://europa.eu.int/constitution/constitution_en.htm
German http://europa.eu.int/constitution/constitution_de.htm
French http://europa.eu.int/constitution/constitution_fr.htm
English: The Union's policies, article III - 121
German: Politikbereiche der Union, Artikel III - 121
French: Les politiques de l'Union, article III - 121
"Traditional" animal cruelty is a remnant of ignorant and barbaric times.
Subject: EU disregard for animal rights
Ladies and gentlemen,
Expecting a solid animal welfare paragraph in the EU Constitution we are upset by the proposed exceptions for "traditional" animal cruelty such as festive bullfights, dog races or fox-hunts and the ritual slaughter of conscious animals. We are surprised that a contemporary Constitution includes harmful remnants of ignorant and barbaric times. It should be clear that animal cruelty can never be excused by folkloric, religious or tribal traditions. We might as well legalize torture of prisoners, blood revenge, sexual oppression and other culturally based forms of violence that civilized Europe tries to get rid of. Traditions involving animal cruelty simply are very bad habits that should not be "cultured" but erased.
It is a thin line that divides animal cruelty from violence towards people.
We like to stress the point that for instance the joyful atmosphere - with traditional music and artful dancing and stabbing - around a traditional bullfight breeds the conviction that animal torture is acceptable if not laudable.
Without blinking an eye, probably thanks to this acceptance, some Spanish dog owners discard their dogs traditionally by hanging them on a tree. The young boy riding a horse in a demonstration against the banning of fox-hunts wearing the text "born to hunt" might turn out to be born to kill. Why should we be surprised by the emergence of new traditions like beating up a random bystander as part of "having a good time" on a night out?
Consequently, we regard tolerance for animal cruelty as a public order hazard and a mental health threat.
Considering the harmful nature of aforesaid traditions it is embarrassing to see the proposed EU Constitution giving its blessings to traditional animal cruelty by their member states. If the EU makes exceptions for animal rights, why not make exceptions for human rights? What authority for the EU is left to dispute human rights anyway?
As mentioned before, it is a thin line that divides the violation of animal rights from the violation of human rights.
The following quote of the Eurogroup for Animal Welfare reflects the sorry state of EU interest in the welfare of the category of stray animals that is in highest need of human protection:
"There is no legal basis to have legislation purely on animal welfare grounds in the EU, it is why legislation relating to the way stray animals (considered as companion animals) is the responsibility of the Member
States. To change that, there needs to be a specific article in the Treaty (the Constitutional Treaty, just passed and not yet ratified) making animal welfare an objective of the EU. This is not the case at the moment and it will not be the case in the near future". We regard such callous legalistic opposition to animal protection as a serious and contageous mental health problem.
It is obvious that the expressed EU attitude on animal rights calls for a clear rejection of the EU Constitution proposal unless this offending amendment on Article III-121 is withdrawn.
With kind regards,
(write your name with complete address)
You can forward your letter to for instance:
agri-library@cec.eu.int ;
sanco-mailbox@cec.eu.int ;
sg-forum-convention@cec.eu.int ;
Ariane.Moret@cec.eu.int ;
euronews.ws