Protesting Outside Austrian Consulate Today

Animal Rights Group Protesting Outside Austrian Consulate Today

40 Austrians facing prison for campaigning for animal rights

Animal Rights campaigners will be protesting outside the Austrian Consulate today as the Austrian Government prepares to prosecute up to 40 animal rights campaigners under organised crime laws

The protest will be at 1130 today (Saturday 6 June) at the Austrian Consulate, 75 Ghuznee Street, Wellington. Protesters will be dressed in orange prison uniforms and handcuffs. The protest is supported by Save Animals From Exploitation, Wellington Animal Rights Network and the Campaign Against Factory Farming.

Wellington Animal Rights Network spokesperson Mark Eden says up to 40 animal rights campaigners are facing serious prison time for nothing more than successfully campaigning against animal cruelty.

“Last year the Austrian anti terror police arrested ten animal rights activists and put them in jail for three months without charge. They were released after international protests and pressure. Now the Austrian Government is considering laying charges of “taking part in a criminal organisation” against up to 40 people involved in animal rights work. None have been connected with any specific crime. They are being targeted because they are successful organisers and have caused big business in the form of factory farmers to lose money” said Mr Eden

One of the people jailed last year recently visited New Zealand to speak about animal rights campaigns in Austria and his experiences “We were very impressed with the work that the Austrians have been doing and its totally unjust that they are being prosecuted for perfectly legitimate animal rights campaigning” said Mr Eden

‘Battery hen cages are banned in Austria and many other laws have been passed against animal cruelty. This has had a big impact on business involved in animal abuse and the police attacks on animal rights groups are an attempt to crush a successful movement’.

‘Austrian Police spent two and a half years and millions of dollars tracking and spying on animal rights groups in Austria. Despite all the resources put into the investigation they have failed to come up with any evidence of crime so instead are charging as many people as possible as “members of a criminal organisation” under Section 278a of the Austrian criminal law. This law is intended for use against the mafia, organised crime, and terrorists. The police are saying the entire animal rights movement in Austria is a criminal organisation so therefore everyone involved in organising the movement can be arrested.

National and international concern from individuals, human rights groups and animal rights supporters is building as the Austrian Government is expected to make a decision on the case in the next few days.

For more info contact Mark Eden on 021 026 49406 or nzarinfo@gmail.com

Info on the Austrian legal situation: www.vgt.at/index_en.php

ENDS

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