HAYTAP, the Animal Rights Federation in Turkey
FoundedJuly 2008
TypeNon-governmental organization
FocusAnimal rights
Location
Websitehaytap.org

HAYTAP is an animal rights federation in Turkey (Turkish: Hayvan Hakları Federasyonu)(HAYTAPⓘ). It is an animal rights organization and a federation of such organisations based in Istanbul, currently led by Ahmet Kemal Şenpolat.[1]

HAYTAP unified all animal rights associations and organizations under one name. Created in 2008, HAYTAP raises awareness of the violation of animal rights. It reaches out to the Turkish Parliament through court trials, engages in training activities such as education programs in schools, and uses public relations to spread its message.

HAYTAP's main lobbying concern is to change the laws in Turkey regarding cruelty to animals. It believes that the present law, Animal Protection Law No.5199,[2] does not provide for strong enough punishment for animal abusers. Under Turkey's law no. 5199, cruelty to animals is considered a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine, with no jail time and no mark on one's criminal record.[3]

History

HAYTAP resulted from the merger of five animal rights organizations in Turkey in July 2008[4] and the number of registered members has reached 21 associations,[5] including one from Azerbaijan,[6] and 61 representatives.[7] It claims to be the largest[8] and the best organised animal rights organization in Turkey.

Philosophy

HAYTAP supports local ecological integrity and economic needs in the areas of habitat loss and prevention. It lobbies for the ratification of international agreements and for creation of legal and institutional infrastructure.

HAYTAP raises public awareness of the violation of nature and animal rights, files suits regarding current abuses, is involved in training activities, conducts public relations exercises and tries to get laws applied in a better way.[1][3][9][10][11][12][13] Its slogan is Life is in your hands.

Campaigns

HAYTAP rejects the idea of animals as property, and opposes the use of animals in any form: It is against raising animals for their furs,[14] selling them as pets,[15][16] hunting them and making them a trade commodity.[17] It promotes a vegan diet.[18]

HAYTAP supports the presence of stray animals at a tolerable level and the appropriate prevention of strays.[8][19][20][21][22][23]

HAYTAP opposes animal fighting, seal hunting, bullfighting and works to stop the use and abuse of animals in certain display contexts like zoos,[24] circuses[25] dolphinariums[26][27] and roadside exhibits.[4]

Through posters, HAYTAP attempts to draw public attention to animal rights issues like abandoned pets, street dogs and cats, roadkill, fur clothing, emotion in animals, anti-hunting and captive animals in zoos, circuses and dolphinariums.[28]

HAYTAP advises municipalities and governments on legislation to improve animal rights. It met Turkish prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in February 2011 and obtained his commitment to take action regarding animal rights.[29][30]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 “HAYTAP : Animal Rights Federation in Turkey” Archived 2013-05-25 at the Wayback Machine, HAYTAP, accessed November 8, 2012
  2. ↑ ANIMAL PROTECTION BILL LAW no 5199, HAYTAP, accessed December 7, 2012
  3. 1 2 “Civil society skeptical about amendment to animal protection law”, Today’s Zaman,May 27, 2012
  4. 1 2 “What is Haytap?” , HAYTAP, accessed November 8, 2012.
  5. ↑ “HAYTAP member associations, HAYTAP, accessed November 8, 2012.
  6. ↑ “ALLIANCE AND HAYTAP have had established a community.”, Alliance for the Protection of Animals, Baku-Azerbaijan, April 7, 2011
  7. ↑ “HAYTAP member representatives”, HAYTAP, accessed November 8, 2012
  8. 1 2 “Turks won't give up their strays, activists say”, Today’s Zaman,October 21, 2012
  9. ↑ “CHP deputies propose animal rights draft law”, Hürriyet Daily News,February 3, 2012
  10. ↑ “Stray dogs are Turkey's own responsibility, says Füle” Archived 2012-11-09 at the Wayback Machine, Today’s Zaman,November 2, 2012
  11. ↑ “World Animal Day marked in Turkey with calls for law change”, Hürriyet Daily News,April 10, 2010
  12. ↑ “Turkey is determined to be more democratic and contemporary, Bagis says” Archived 2013-01-20 at archive.today, Cumhuriyet Portal in English, March 6, 2011
  13. ↑ “Right activists count down to criminalization of animal cruelty” Archived 2012-06-26 at the Wayback Machine, Today’s Zaman,March 25, 2012
  14. ↑ “Activists strip down in Istanbul to protest wearing animal furs”, Hürriyet Daily News,December 13, 2010
  15. ↑ “Turkey to see tighter laws for pet shops: minister”, Hürriyet Daily News,January 13, 2012
  16. ↑ Kadıköy Municipal Council bans pet sales in district Archived 2012-12-08 at the Wayback Machine, Today’s Zaman,December 5, 2009
  17. ↑ “Turtles wait in suitcase pending Turkish court decision”, Hürriyet Daily News,March 31, 2011
  18. ↑ “Vejetaryen Olmak İsteyenler İçin Bilgiler”, HAYTAP, accessed November 9, 2012
  19. ↑ “Tracking Chip For Dogs”, Sun Express News,November 29, 2011
  20. ↑ “Animal activists: Provide water to strays this summer”, Today’s Zaman,August 2, 2009
  21. ↑ “Haytap's Opinion Against Peta's Declaration”, HAYTAP, accessed November 8, 2012
  22. ↑ “Activists furious as dog freezes in shelter”, Hürriyet Daily News,January 16, 2012
  23. ↑ “Four dogs killed in attack on animal shelter”, Today’s Zaman,November 1, 2012
  24. ↑ “SAY “NO” TO ZOOS , AS WELL !”, HAYTAP, accessed November 12, 2012
  25. ↑ “Animal rights activists protest circuses”, Hürriyet Daily News,August 21, 2009
  26. ↑ “Activists to dive in protest of dolphin captivity across Turkey”, Today’s Zaman,July 9, 2010
  27. ↑ “Activists urge boycott of Turkish dolphinariums”, Hürriyet Daily News,August 1, 2010
  28. ↑ HAYTAP Posters, HAYTAP, accessed December 9, 2012
  29. ↑ “PM Erdoğan promises harsher punishment for animal cruelty” Archived 2012-03-07 at the Wayback Machine, Today’s Zaman,February 22, 2011
  30. ↑ “Turkey's PM urged to take measures on animal rights”, Hürriyet Daily News, February 21, 2011
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