International ridicule and shame!!
Today concerned animal lovers across the world received the most puzzling letter. It was a seemingly personal message written by the Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Turkey, Ertugrul Gunay. Here is the text
“Dear xxxx,
I am very much saddened by your email, and felt obligated to reply you in person.
I cannot justify the cruelty against animals or against any form of life. Nor I could ask for forgiveness.
Nothing could be more sacred than life itself.
I am deeply sorrowed.
We, proud humans, do always talk about harmonizing with the nature, build environmental management systems and certify, pretend to be a part of the ecology. But still, we cannot slow down the ‘most advanced living’ on earth, us, from savaging on life. Life in all forms.
Dog-fights, bull-fights, animal testings, factory farming… The list never ends. Just within the last decade, millions of fowl and cattle were terminated by human hands.
Yet, all this is not enough for inhumanity. Human lives, even in the middle of Europe, are being taken methodically, in front of our eyes. Civilians, are killed remotely, with the ‘state-of-the-art’ machinery, before they even know they were dying.
I remember a news broadcast, in which the overjoyed reporter was telling about the newly developed missile that could penetrate into deep underground shelters. Elaborate methods of taking lives even in refuge!
This hurts. This must hurt.
It does not matter, whether we are a part of the ‘civilized world’ and ‘authorized to criticize’ or among the ‘contemptible people’ of developing countries, we must stand against the organized reproduction of death. Defend life against inhumanity, without making selections, without taking preferences or making excuses… Unconditionally.
We have been sharing our house with them for over 20 years. We had named them Yodi, Miscia and Marcvs. But all these names diminish in time; they become our ‘son’, ‘daughter’ or even ‘sister’ instead. I know the affectionate but helpless look in their lucid eyes. The happiness they add to our lives. And how something breaks in you, when they fly away.
So I am, once again, wounded by the pictures, which have drawn you to sending an email.
Albeit displayed as concentration camps on the web, these dog-shelters in question have been first established by the animal-lovers’ initiative, with the help of local municipalities. My own son, was among the many who were carrying food to these shelters. But unfortunately, the number of four-legged guests in the shelters, has been increasing geometrically, making it almost impossible to give them proper space and care in the cities.
We, animal-lovers are very responsible for this increase, too. Sterilization is not a very common practice in our country. Resulting number of puppies -and kittens, are more than we can ever look after.
As a minister, I am not directly connected with these severe, hurting happenings, but as a person, as someone who has felt the heartbeats of these babies on his fingertips, I take my share from the blame.
I will try my best to raise funds for these animal shelters, and warn those responsible to avoid such sad events.
I would like to thank you for sharing your doubts with us. Now, we need your support, to create a better environment for our friends. Your corroboration will definitely encourage the volunteers working in these shelters.
Respectfully yours,
Ertugrul Günay
It is extremely sad to read this letter signed by a government minister.
Here is our message to Mr. Gunay:
Leave the fund raising for the next elections, Mr. Gunay, instead of finding excuses for the pathetic and shameful estate of the nations so-called-shelters, make sure your government correctly implements a campaign of Neuter and Return as obliged by the law.
We wonder how your son will feel when he sees the following pictures…
http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/9543228.asp?gid=233&sz=42807
Herr Gunay,
ich bin tiefgerührt !!!
Nun da Sie von dem schrecklichen Unrecht erfahren haben,
machen Sie doch bitte Ihren Einfluss geltend und sorgen Sie dafür,
dass Ihre Freunde, die Tierschützer der Türkei,
ihre Arbeit tun dürfen.
Angesichts der anderen Tragödien, die diese Welt erschüttern,
dürfte es ein Leichtes sein,
auch angesichts Ihres Glaubens,
der Welt ein Beispiel zu geben !
Sorgen Sie JETZT SOFORT dafür,
dass die Freiwilligen in Beykoz sich wieder um die Tiere im Heim kümmern dürfen !
Ziehen Sie Herrn Muharrem Ergül zur Verantwortung !
Ändern Sie diese Zustände sofort.
Sorgen Sie dafür,
dass die dafür geflossenen EU- Mittel entsprechend zur Verfügung gestellt werden.
Wir, die Tierfreunde weltweit werden es IHNEN,
Herr Gunay danken.
Dann müssen Sie sich nichtmehr schämen,
handeln Sie einfach !
Conny
July 30, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Actions speak louder than words ! ,
We will boycott Turkey until laws are enforced and acted on to protect the animlas there.
You think you will join the EU, Well i disagree, We now live in a global network of internet communication, The whole world knows of Turkeys cruelty to animals and beleive me we do not approve !
Avril Sims
July 30, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Actions speak louder than words ! ,
We will boycott Turkey until laws are enforced and acted on to protect the animlas there.
You think you will join the EU, Well i disagree, We now live in a global network of internet communication, The whole world knows of Turkeys cruelty to animals and beleive me we do not approve !
Amy Hamilton
July 30, 2008 at 7:30 pm
Minister Gunay,
This situation will undoubtedly affect tourism. It is doing so already as numerous animals lovers are hearing about this disgusting state of affairs and deciding against visiting your country for that reason. In the longer term this will escalate as word spreads further, wider and ever stronger about Turkey’s methods of dealing with animals.
If you want to avoid this and protect the revenue which your country enjoys from tourism it is essential that you address this problem right now. If you truly take your share of the blame as you say in your letter, then you must also take your share of the responsibility for dealing with the issue.
Animal welfare is a growing concern across the world and now more than ever we are able to communicate information to anyone and everyone. What we want to hear is a sound plan of action with substance, not some sentiment and a few excuses. Until that happens we will continue to boycott Turkey and ensure that the cruelty is continually publicised.
Marcia Crow
July 30, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Stop the killing of the animals and enforce your laws otherwise we will boycott your tourism!!
Anita Papassarandis
July 30, 2008 at 7:45 pm
I’ll boycott Turkey in all ways until you stop this slaughter, change or apply the laws and act as humans, not as killers.
I’ll vote no to the joining of Turkey in EU from now on.
I’ll tell everybody I know and will spread on all my blogs and mails the truth about this gouvernment to make people aware that we’re not to travel in a land that acts with such cruelty and unrespect for innocent creatures. Killing puppies, such cowards!
Change your mind, change your heart, change your laws and behaviours! And we’ll consider you as heroes, not as prehistoric murderers!
joelle coudriou
July 30, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Mr. Ertugrul Günay, this reflects very badly on your country. Please remember the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “The moral progress of a nation and its greatness should be judged by the way it treats its animals.” Humans are animals too so when these creatures suffering and dying, we should consider, “Would I want that to happen to me?”
Hema Bedasie
July 30, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Im agree with the phrase: Actions speak louder than words !….and I say: An image teachs more than thousand words!!……so…theres no reason for not understand the HORRIBLE things agaisnt the animals in Turkey…that why we supported this group!!
Cecilia Morales
July 30, 2008 at 8:09 pm
We even have a law here to protect the animals but it does not mean a thing!
Sadly Avril there are never any actions from the belediye just the same denials but the killing goes on
Tina Alaca
July 30, 2008 at 8:43 pm
I seriously doubt Mr Gunay wrote that letter himself, as he is a man of little English. Why can’t Turkey become part of the civilized world and enforce the laws that protect animals and educate the Turkish people in matters such as neutering to reduce the population of unwanted animals.
As with China, you pretend to give a damn when other countries are looking your way, but in reality this is far from the truth.
Anouska Meetoo
July 30, 2008 at 9:20 pm
… restons ensemble pour lutter…
Rambure
July 30, 2008 at 11:13 pm
A nation’s greatness is judged by how its animals are treated. Quote by Gandhi!
Louise McGannon
July 30, 2008 at 11:22 pm
In each part of this world the animals must to be respect them!!!! We don’t want more chines or turkeys! Stop to hurt the animals!
Angela Garcia
July 30, 2008 at 11:29 pm
In each part of this world the animals must to be respect them!!!! We don’t want more chines or turkeys! Stop to hurt the animals!
Angela Garcia
July 30, 2008 at 11:31 pm
I do believe men with power can make a difference, if they get the courage to do that. They have the responsability to change things to the better. As the previous comment “Actions speak louder than words” , it´s time to laws be followed, complied. The world is seeing all that cruelty and people are boicoyting your country, as me and several people I know. It´s a pitty that we have to adopt that strategy to make your country a better place for animals. It should be your own strategy to increase tourism: compassion for anmals and try to foment respect for animals as part of civic education.
Cristina Seiça
July 31, 2008 at 12:04 am
STOP TORTURE ANIMALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
eirini
July 31, 2008 at 12:58 am
nice
drdarmesh77@gmail.comnice
July 31, 2008 at 5:58 am
I just wish that what you said in your letter is how you actually feel. And that you feel strongly enough to make a difference and not just stand on the side line and watch!
Vivienne
July 31, 2008 at 8:36 am
Please show compassion for these beautiful animals. Is this the image Turkey wants to project to the world? I have always been fascinated by the beauty of your country, but I will never visit until steps are taken to protect ALL animals in your country.
Veronique Pires
July 31, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Minister Gunay,
I laugh me broken! This person believes that we believe such a hypocrisy? Hello, we are no farmers without education! You can tell those fairy tale. We not! Also you are for the thousands of murders every year with responsibly because you undertake nothing against it and tell the remaining world Christmas fairy tale ?! Search the silly somewhere else!
Stop Torture Animals !
Ingo
July 31, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Dear Mr Gunay,
in this way we state our protest in all strictness against the deplorable
state of affairs concerning the relations with animals in your country.
Any day we are getting new informations about animals which are murdered
brutally and horrific!
http://www.schattenhunde.de/fotoalbum/index.php
Already there is a law existing (a law for protection of animals § 5199)
but no one make use of it. On the contrary (and against your law), the
animals will still be poisoned, be tortured, mutilated and left behind.
This handling is not gracious and shows a big contrast to your religion
and laws.
Your religion preaches:
-there is no creature made by ALLAH without any reason.
-all creatures are a proof of his existing.
-all creatures are jewellery of this world who decorates ALLAH
The important department for Turkish confession proclaimed the “HUTBE”,
which says:
“Compassion and mercy for all animals”
Related to “Compassion and mercy for all animals” our friendly prophet
says: ALLAH will give the merciful his blessing. Be merciful in this
world, to be blessed in heaven.
That is why we have to do well with the rights of animals. To keep good
with all animals, which have an existence and a soul, is to do right.
Please help to do right with all animals. Please speak up for the animal
creatures and prohibit the people to poison and to cruel them.
There are European directions which say:
“For the European commission, the protection of animals is also to
recognite animals as a creature with soul. The directions are designed to
spare them from pain and sorrow!”
According to the Turkish law for the protection of animals 5199 it is
criminal to murder animals or to cause them psychological and physical
pain.
The aim of this law is:
To treat the animals well and arrange life worthy conditions for them
without pain and sorrow.
The Turkish community is going to be member of the EC and your country is
going through a lot of trouble to meet the requirements. But it is just
one way to do that for the economical part, there is also the part of
animal protection. Creating a law for animal protection is one thing,
filling it with life must be the next. We don’t talk about things; we talk
about gods creatures who also feel pain and sorrow.
European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals Strasbourg, 13.XI.1987
http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/EN/Treaties/Html/125.htm (english)
The member States of the Council of Europe signatory hereto,
Considering that the aim of the Council of Europe is to achieve a greater
unity between its members;
Recognising that man has a moral obligation to respect all living
creatures and bearing in mind that pet animals have a special relationship
with man.
Article 2 – Scope and implementation
1. Each Party undertakes to take the necessary steps to give effect to the
provisions of this Convention in respect of:
a. pet animals kept by a person or legal entity in any household or in any
establishment for trading, for commercial breeding and boarding, and in
animal sanctuaries;
b. where appropriate, stray animals.
Chapter II – Principles for the keeping of pet animals
Article 3 – Basic principles for animal welfare
1. Nobody shall cause a pet animal unnecessary pain, suffering or distress.
Article 12 – Reduction of numbers
When a Party considers that the numbers of stray animals present it with a
problem, it shall take the appropriate legislative and/or administrative
measures necessary to reduce their numbers in a way which does not cause
avoidable pain, suffering or distress.
Such measures shall include the requirements that:
i. providing for dogs and cats to be permanently identified by some
appropriate means which causes little or no enduring pain, suffering or
distress, such as tattooing as well as recording the numbers in a register
together with the names and addresses of their owners;
ii. reducing the unplanned breeding of dogs and cats by promoting the
neutering of these animals
http://conventions.coe.int/Treaty/Commun/ChercheSig.asp?NT=125&CM=7&DF=11/12/2006&CL=GER
Signing / Ratification / The entry into force
Türkei 18/11/1999 / 28/11/2003 / 1/6/2004
Because of that, we please you and we demand from you to serve the life of
the animals and to stop the cruelty!
Please give the animals in Türkiye your support. The animals do not have a
vote, so we have to vote for them.
Do not offend any longer against laws, moral and ethic and let us know
that your are always a welcome member of the EC. Respect your law, your
decree and at first the Life of every creature.
If there will be cruelty in Türkiye any longer, we would tell everyone of
the European citizen and please them to protest against the handling in.
In hopeful expectation of getting an answer we remain
Yours faithfully
IGS Schattenhunde
IG Schattenhunde
August 1, 2008 at 2:06 pm
What you are doing to animals is disgusting! I am boycotting you in every way & I will do all I can to help these animals.
Julie
August 2, 2008 at 3:09 am
This so called human who has done this is the biggest LIAR I,ve ever come across in my life he hasn,t got the guts to hold his hand up and say yes this was my fault he has no shame whatsoever in the overwhelming evidence against him he is saying that he is an animal lover what a JOKE that is when he has killed and mutalated these animals to an horrific degree he has put shame on his country, yes I,ve been there and was at the dog shelters in June 2008 the people and volunteers are struggling with little means they have but it was working the neuter and release programme I have email all officials in Turkey and have yet to get a reply off any of them , they know this is going on and they are trying to bury it under the carpet well not this time WHY because the whole world know now what they are doing to these animals and the whole world will not keep quiet and I would like to tell them that YES we will boycott your country until all this suffering stops You ought to be ashamed of yourselves and you are not fit to be called human beings as for calling you animals that would be wrong because an animal would not do what you have done you are all barbaric despots.
Bev Hill
August 9, 2008 at 12:45 pm
The brutal and inhumane slaughter of the dogs in Turkey is unacceptable behavior for any civilized country. What Turkey does and did is barbaric. I am outraged and will not visit Turkey until I know that they have implemented a rabies program and stopped this horrific brutality to dogs.
Turkey must recognize that the world has moral values and abhors this kind of unjustified barbarity. In order to do business with the rest of the world and gain its respect, it needs to honor these moral values and adjust its practices to be more humane.
Dora Hardegger
August 14, 2008 at 8:28 pm
This excuse for a man is doing nothing but bringing Shame on his own Country.
Boycotting Turkey until huge animals welfare changes are made and acted on !
Neesan
August 17, 2008 at 6:51 pm
are you people crazy,as we speak a child has just died in africa.there goes another.Are you the least bit concerned? If you people mean buisness,,i dare you,to go to these shelters and rescue these animals,action speaks better then words.
elise kenna
October 14, 2008 at 1:13 pm
my respect to Mr gunays son,,,bravo
elise kenna
October 14, 2008 at 1:18 pm
The treatment of animals in Turkey is deplorable and shameful. I am so sad for these poor defenseless animals
Catherine
November 24, 2008 at 2:14 am