Posted on May 4, 2016 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
Website: Still Under Production – see below.
Message: I’m writing to invite you to take part in a global day of action against live animal transportation on Monday August 29th – the 20th anniversary of the biggest live export disaster when more than 67,000 sheep died as the ship carrying them burned.
Although I am coordinating it on behalf of Compassion in World Farming, it is not their day. The Animals Are Not Freight website, logo and all associated resources will not be CIWF-branded, and the message each participating group gives out is entirely up to them.
The aim is to demonstrate global opposition to this global trade. It’s a chance for us all to come together and speak with one voice, while adapting the precise message for the decision-makers, media and public in our own regions and countries.
To be effective, we need groups of all sizes around the world taking action, and as a powerful voice for animals in Serbia, we really need you!
Compassion plans to hold a media event in London plus an event for our supporters to attend (details to be finalised). Our European offices will all be organising their own actions, and we will be working hard to get the message out online, too. And of course, I am approaching groups all over the world. Some – including in South Africa, Canada, Australia and Iraq – have already pledged to take part.
It would be wonderful if you could organise an event – a candlelit vigil, a march, a photo stunt for the media, a remembrance service for the animals who have died, a demonstration outside your government’s offices… whatever you think appropriate. The bigger the better for this global day of action. We need the world to take notice.
The Animals Are Not Freight website – which is on its way – will allow groups to upload any event they organise, and individuals to download social media images, placards and other resources, all with the Animals Are Not Freight logo.
We hope you will get involved. Please do ask if you have any questions.
All the best,
Kate Fowler
Campaign Manager (Interim)
Compassion in World Farming, UK
Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, LETTERS, SUPPORTERS, The "Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) ALLIANCE | Leave a comment »
Posted on April 30, 2016 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
Free Tibet has this week submitted a 2,120 signature petition to the Tibetan authorities, demanding the release of jailed language campaigner, Tashi Wangchuk.
The US and UK governments have also told us that they are taking up his case.
Free Tibet, 28 Charles Square, London, N1 6HT, United Kingdom
Thousands support Tashi Wangchuk
Tashi Wangchuk
26th April 2016
UK and US take up case after contacts from Free Tibet
Free Tibet has today submitted a 2,120 signature petition to the governor of Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, demanding the release of jailed language campaigner, Tashi Wangchuk. The petition’s signatures were obtained in just two weeks from Tibet supporters across the world.
The US State Department responded to our urgent letter to confirm that it is following his case. At a meeting yesterday, the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office told us that it has added Tashi Wangchuk to its list of people of concern and intends to raise his case directly with China in the forthcoming UK-China Human Rights Dialogue. Free Tibet is urging supporters to contact their governments to maintain pressure for action on his case.
Punished for speaking out
Tashi Wangchuk was arrested in January after his peaceful campaign to improve Tibetan language education in his home area was featured in a New York Times article and film. In March, he was charged with separatism, a vaguely-defined offence that allows China to criminalise any activity by Tibetans it considers a threat. If convicted, Tashi Wangchuk could face 15 years in prison.
His arrest followed a major New York Times article about his campaign. International media are normally banned from Tibet and it is very rare that the voices of Tibetans like Tashi Wangchuk are given a platform in this way. Even though Tashi Wangchuk stressed that his campaign was not political and even offered praise to Chinese President Xi Jinping, it is likely that his arrest was a direct result of the article and intended to act as a deterrent to other Tibetans.
Thousands demand justice
Free Tibet’s petition to the regional authorities in Tibet said:
Dear Governor
We, the undersigned, call on you to unconditionally release Tashi Wangchuk [[Ch: Zhaxi Wangchu], who was arrested on 27 January 2016 and charged with separatism on 4 March. His last known location was Yushu detention centre.
Tashi Wangchuk was arrested apparently because of his peaceful attempts to improve Tibetan language education, which was featured in a New York Times article and video last November. He appealed for change through official channels and did not advocate Tibetan independence. In his New York Times interview, he made clear that he was solely concerned with preserving Tibet’s culture and encouraged Chinese officials to aid Tibetans in doing so. He also offered praise to President Xi Jinping.
Tashi Wangchuk’s campaign was to ensure proper implementation of the guarantees offered in Article 4 of the Chinese Constitution which states that “[t]he people of all nationalities have the freedom to use and develop their own spoken and written languages, and to preserve or reform their own ways and customs.” Article 41 states that “citizens of the People’s Republic of China have the right to criticize and make suggestions to any state organ or functionary” and that “no one may suppress such complaints, charges and exposures, or retaliate against the citizens making them”.
The New York Times articles have ensured that Tashi Wangchuk’s unjust treatment is receiving worldwide attention. In accordance with his universal human right to free expression and his rights under the Chinese constitution, we urge you to drop all charges against Tashi Wangchuk and to immediately and unconditionally release him.
Take action for Tashi Wangchuk
Please write to your Foreign Minister, calling on them to urge the Chinese authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Tashi Wangchuk.
Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, GLOBAL PETITIONS - Anything Animal, Anywhere ! | Leave a comment »
Posted on April 29, 2016 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
(All Photos – ‘Eyes on Animals’)
Regarding our recent post on live animal exports to Turkey; https://serbiananimalsvoice.com/2016/04/27/update-27416-live-animal-exports-turkish-border-sample-letter-to-copy-and-send/ and the fact that we had heard nothing back from the EU about the video evidence or our petition for weeks (not even confirmation or a simple reply to confirm receipt); or the telephone conversation between Mark and Mr. Valletta; it now appears that things have moved on since our most recent call on Wednesday 27th April.
Thank you to everyone who sent a sample letter as left on the latest post – it seems that your messages may have got home within the EU Commission over the last few days !
In accordance with the request of the EU Commission for Health and Food Safety, we are happily publishing all the information which was sent to us today (29/4). This will further update everyone who has to date signed our petition over the last few weeks, and will provide everyone with a view of the response of the Commission on the matter.
The response is provided in 2 parts:
A Cover Note, and then a Main Document. Both are shown below for you to read.
COVER NOTE
LINK TO MAIN DOCUMENT
The SAV address has been removed from the cover note.
The petition and coverage of this issue has not achieved a ban on the export of live EU animals to Turkey; we never expected it to – as money talks louder than us in animal welfare !, but we are proud to be a voice for the suffering animals and to be making a difference. Copies of the info (2 parts) have also been sent to Lesley at ‘Eyes on Animals’ in the Netherlands; http://www.eyesonanimals.com/ ; and over the next few days we shall review the situation with her and decide how to continue with this campaign, through both our sites. Campaigning does not finish just because we have now had a response from the EU; we will continue to present information and evidence as necessary to support our side of the campaign whenever it is necessary.
Thank you to everyone who has been involved with this campaign – we appreciate your help and support.
We are not sure, but the fact that the UK is having an election (23/6/16) on its future in the EU may have also some bearing on the rapid and sudden response here. The situation is simple; people in the UK are not happy with EU politics and politicians; and the endless time that it takes to make decisions. Who knows what will happen in the UK by 24/6, but we think the vote will be close regardless.
Our view – we want to see some action rather than the endless ‘weasel words’ from the EU which usually end with nothing. Lest hope that the situation for animals being exported to Turkey changes rapidly, for the better. If it does not, then there is always the vote on 23/6. EU you have been told; act, don’t just keep on putting out verbal and written assurances that actually amount to nothing. EU, we are watching you !
Regards SAV.
Food for thought from Venus:
Open letter to the answer given by Mr. Andriukaitis.
Ridiculous, untrustworthy, simply unacceptable!
So I find the answer to the SAV-mail, that I got of MEP Mr. Andriukaitis.
Such an outrageous answer has the EU Commission always preprogrammed.
In the case, that mails come and EU citizens finally ask from the MEPs to do something obvious, namely their jobs.
If Protest letters or emails are sent to the EU Commission, the Commission feels disturbed, annoyed and finally “no responsible”.
New but not less ridiculous is the “transparency exam” which is required and one should exist!!
Oh! Yes Mr.Andriukaitis!
This transparency report, had demanded the European Commission before October 2012 by the EU Health Commissioner John Dalli, when he reportedly “should have indirectly offered a deal by the Swedish tobacco company Swedish Match”!!
It was about the “Tobacco-Gate” in which even the highest Brussels officials were involved.
Simply and solely John Dali is to blame for the failure of the initiative for limiting the transport of animals to 8 hours.
In June 2012!!
The hope and the confidence of more than 1 million EU citizens, who have opted for the 8-hour limit animal transport has been abused, and that again from the EU!
He, a Corrupt Commissioner, has prevailed against 395 EU Parliament votes.
Why did they did not demand “transparency test” from him?
And where today is the reparation of the European Commission for this former moral crap stand a corrupt MEP?
Nowhere!
All of us who do not want to see blood flow of trucks on the highways, all those who have a moral problem with the criminal animal transports in the “civilized” Europe, (which you obviously want to resort to the diplomatic way), we will all find a way and other people, we will find empathy enabled MEPs and they might even be running.
We will not give up to fight misery and suffering in the livestock sector.
Especially for this case, but also for the future.
Although morality and responsibility is not in our employment contract, and we do not get 21,000 euros per month.
But morality and work ethic cannot be paid with money obviously!
We will not give up.
Venus
(Here is the mail from Mr.Andriukaitis to me).
We acknowledge receipt of your email. If your message concerns a request for a meeting or a petition please see the information below. Important notice on Transparency: Meetings with organisations or self-employed individuals.
I would like to draw your attention to the Commission’s new policy on transparency which entered into force on 1 December 2014. More details can be found here.
Before we can proceed with your request for a meeting, could you please confirm whether you, or your organisation, are registered in the Transparency Register and provide your Register ID number? If you are not registered, you are kindly invited to register on this website. The meeting can only take place once we have received the confirmation of your registration.
Please be aware that the European Commission is committed to enhanced transparency. Therefore, Commissioners and their Cabinets only meet organisations or self-employed individuals that are registered in the EU’s Transparency Register.
Petitions
Replies to petitions are published on the Transparency Portal of the European Commission.
Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, DOCUMENTS, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, LETTERS, PHOTOGRAPHS - **WARNING** (Animal Suffering), The "Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) ALLIANCE | Leave a comment »
Posted on April 27, 2016 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
Dear friend
Did you see it last night? On BBC2 at 9pm yesterday evening, Reggie Yates went to a Russian fur farm in the latest installment of This World in his programme, Inside The Billionaire’s Wardrobe.
Sable, mink, arctic fox…even- shockingly- a wild lynx, lived out a sad existence, trapped in tiny, barren wire cages on a huge Russian fur farm. Stereotypical behaviour was abundant, suffering was rampant.
“To see (a lynx) is those conditions is heartbreaking.. It is in a tiny cage, just going up and down, up and down, with crazy eyes..it’s trampling over its own waste… This just really doesn’t sit well with me at all.”
Reggie Yates, when visiting a Russian fur farm, Inside The Billionaire’s Wardrobe, 2016.
UK residents can watch the programme on BBC iPlayer here.
It doesn’t make for easy viewing, but underlines why our anti-fur campaign and your support is so important.
Respect for Animals led the campaign that finally got fur farming banned in the UK- but there’s so much more still to do to stop this suffering.
Here’s what you can do to help fight back against the fur trade today:
Ask your MEP to make a difference in the battle against the fur trade.
Sign our petition asking Harvey Nichols to abandon it’s ‘luxury’ fur range.
Donate to Respect for Animals
____________________________
Save The Seals Update:
More than 8500 of you have already signed our letter to Canada’s new prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, asking him to end the brutal seal hunt. Thank you.
If you haven’t already, then click to view our template letter and add your name. Don’t forget to share it with your friends and family, the seals need us.
For the animals,
Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, VIDEOS | Leave a comment »
Posted on April 27, 2016 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
Update 27/4/16. Live animal exports – Turkish border.
On 5/4/16, Mark telephoned Mr. Marco Valletta at the EU DG (Commission) for Health and Food Safety. Mr. Valletta is directly responsible at the Commission as part of Commissioener Vyetenis Andriiukaitis’ team with responsibilities which directly include animal health and animal welfare.
Turkish exports petition link –
Eyes on Animals video about the terrible conditions at the EU / Turkish border –
As you can see in the first link given above, Mr. Valletta was sent a copy of the EoA video in relation to the situation at the EU / Turkish border. As we stated in our post of 6/4, we are waiting now to hear back from Mr. Valetta about a) his views on the evidence provided in the video, and b) what actions he is going to take to rectify the situation for the hundreds of animals which suffer at the border.
The situation is that as of today, 27/4; we have had no response whatsoever from Mr. Valletta or the EU Commission since the discussion which took place on 5/4. Despite promises of some action, there has been nothing from the man who allegedly represents ‘animal health and welfare’ at the Commission – Mr. Valletta.
And so today (27/4) Mark has once again telephoned the EU offices of Mr. Valletta. This time they were both unable to discuss as Mr Valletta was not around, but after explaining the situation of no response to his assistant, Mark declared his wish for a formal response on the situation from the Commission.
For non EU supporters, this is another example of just how the EU is getting out of control; dragging things on and on; getting nowhere – and (for example) where UK citizens are contributing £150 Million a week towards the EU and being in the ‘club’ – and then we never even get a response !! Is it any wonder lots of Brits want to get out of the EU ? – the whole EU thing has now just become a complete farce.
If you wish to send a mail to Mr Valleta regarding the situation for live EU animals exported from the EU to Turkey, then here below is a sample letter to copy and send; or alternatively, modify and send.
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear Mr. Valletta;
Re EU live animals exported to Turkey for slaughter.
As the alleged person responsible for both ‘animal health’ and ‘animal welfare’ in the Health and Food Safety Commission of Vytenis Andriulaitis; I am more than surprised to learn that you have not even seen the video footage provided by ‘Eyes on Animals’ of EU animals suffering during transport to Turkey. In other words, you have ignored the problem here of extreme bad animal health and welfare for at least the last five years since the video was first made. As the video clearly shows, Article 13 of the Treaty of Lisbon, as well as EU Regulation 1/2005 for ‘the protection of animals during transport’, are both being clearly violated and flouted; and despite the clear evidence, still you do nothing.
This constant expose which has lasted for many years shows that you really care very little about animal health and welfare, otherwise you would have acted before now and stopped such situations as shown from taking place.
Your failures and lack of actions are doing nothing to promote the usefulness of the Commission which you represent; and especially the terms ‘animal health and welfare’.
We need action and we need it now. Please sort out the problem or alternatively, step down from your position in the Commission and let it be taken by someone who will act – as you certainly do NOT represent good animal health and welfare. Take action immediately to resolve this problem of live animal suffering at the EU / Turkey border; lets not have to wait another 5 years for still no EU Commission action.
I have signed the petition at
and will encourage as many people to support this until you act and represent animal welfare as your Commission title suggests you do.
You are paid a good salary at the EU to enforce the regulations in areas which you are responsible for – ie animal health and welfare – so do it !!
Yours truly,
Name and nationality.
———————————-
Please send the letter to the following:
marco.valetta@ec.europa.eu, cab-andriukaitis-webpage@ec.eu
Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional, GLOBAL PETITIONS - Anything Animal, Anywhere !, LETTERS, PHOTOGRAPHS - **WARNING** (Animal Suffering), VIDEOS | Leave a comment »
Posted on April 24, 2016 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
Please give a few minutes today to remember all the millions of animals who suffer in silence in the labs of the world. Lets see progressive medicine – not archaic and outdated animal testing. SAV.
April 24th is World Day for Animals in Laboratories when we remember the millions of animals used each year in research.
We all want to find better treatments and cures for conditions such as cancer or diabetes. Using animals to research these diseases is outdated and unethical.
At the Dr Hadwen Trust, we are working hard to replace animals in medical research to save them from the pain and trauma of experiments and to advance more human-relevant research to benefit our health.
Help us fund more research that saves animals from the lab – for us and for them.
Thank you.
From ‘About Us’ (on this site)
MS – A Real Pain In The … – Everywhere !
Mark was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in 2000 after time working overseas. Here is an insight into MS:
He is a supporter of forward looking (non animal medical) research.
Animal testing is a thing of the past and should only be in history books now – and I say that as an MS sufferer; someone who wants a cure for something; but which will not come through animal testing, as animals don’t suffer from MS; so why artificially create it in them and then attempt to find a cure using them ? – it makes no sense. Animals are different to humans – So why not find out using genetics what makes animals different from us (re autoimmune illness) and why they dont get MS and yet we do ? – that to me is progressive research; not simply cutting up animals aka big pharma.
Laboratory animals: the victims of a criminal idiocy!
Animal experiments are almost exclusively justified by the claim, that they are carried out for the benefit of man.
They are made so that new drugs can be developed against incurable diseases.
For consumers must be guaranteed a sense of security and trust in the new chemical products.
But the industry considers other reasons laid on animals.
Behind this dirty propaganda are powerful interests of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
And not just the pharmaceutical industry.
Influential interest groups benefit from the animal experiments:
Experimenters, universities, contract laboratories, experimental animal traders, companies create the accessories, all these benefit from animal experiments and want to maintain.
The quality of research is not measured by how many people you can help, but on the number of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
As of the amount of research funding depends.
Something useful for sick people is not out.
Politics and the media kollaborate with in the animal experiment machinery.
In Germany alone a budget of almost 2.7 billion euros of DFG (German research community) has been made available to fund animal experiments in higher education in 2013!
The four million euro state support, which are given for non-animal research, look in comparison like alms.
In addition, each of us needs to know that the majority of animal test results will not be published but will disappear in the drawer.
Animal experimenters must decide for themselves whether they want to give results known or not. This manipulation is fully programmed: errors are not published, however, the shown “positive” results as a triumph of animal experimentation.
“From a scientific standpoint, it must be noted that what is described as” called animal model
system ” in cancer research, has proven to be totally bankrupt.
There is no evidence that the use of animals in cancer research for the prevention or recovery also led only a single people “! (Dr. Irwin Bross D.J., Director at the Roswell Park Memorial Institute of Buffalo, New York).
One end of animal experiments not means the end of medical research, but non-animal medicine would be much further.
Because animal studies only hold medical progress.
Because of their false results.
Venus
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Posted on April 23, 2016 by Serbian Animals Voice (SAV)
This did arrive with us on 22/4 but it is only today, 23rd that we have published. SAV.
———————–
Dear Mark,
Today is Earth Day. And since 71% of the Earth is covered in oceans, we consider this Oceans Day as well!
It’s a chance to celebrate all of the marine animals that we are working to protect.
And to say thank you. Your actions — and those of all of Turtle Island Restoration Network’s community members — are saving sea turtles, whales, dolphins and other ocean animals:
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You have supported nesting beach protection projects in Texas, Nicaragua and Costa Rica that have returned more than 1 million endangered sea turtle hatchlings safely to the ocean.
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More than 25,000 people so far have signed our petition calling for an end to the whale and dolphin-killing California Driftnet Fishery. Legislation to phase out the fishery is currently in the California Senate!
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More than 200 volunteers signed up with us to help monitor sea turtle nesting beaches in Texas, the most ever, and they found the first sea turtle nest of the season last week.
These are just a few of the victories for sea turtles and other ocean animals that you have helped us achieve!
So, from Turtle Island and 1 million hatchlings this Earth Day, thank you!
For the Oceans,
Erica Heimberg
Director of Development
PS – Want one simple thing to do for Earth Day today? Like Turtle Island on Facebook, share our Earth Day hatchling and ask your friends to join us too!
Adults – 1001 reasons why they need to be saved / protected
– Beautiful !!
Filed under: CAMPAIGNS - Global Animal Welfare Issues, GENERAL NEWS - International / National / Regional | Leave a comment »
Serbian Animals Voice (SAV) 