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