Two weeks after the last demo in Belgium it was time for the Coalition against Animal Testing to fight vivisection once again, this time starting at Philip Morris' laboratory at Grauwmeer 14 in Leuven.
As everyone now knows, 6,000 animals are killed here every year after being forced for 90 days straight to inhale cigrette smoke. During our last protest at Philip Morris spokesperson Paul Broeckx stated that they 'had to do' animal research for two reasons: First, to be able to produce 'less harmful' cigarettes and second, because it would enable them to replace animal experiments at a later stage.
Everyone, however, can see through their bullshit. Philip Morris couldn't care less about human health! They have been putting harmful, even deadly, cigarettes on the market for decades without any ethical or moral objections. And even if they did care, (which they don't) animal research would never give them reliable research results that can be applied to humans, because of the vast organic, anatomical, biological, metabolic, genetic and psychological differences.
Furthermore, to torture animals for the sake of torturing less animals somewhere in the future is absurd logic. Lest we forget, Philip Morris has been responsible for the suffering and deaths of millions of animals worldwide for at least the last 30(!!!) years. Clearly animals, who are indeed sentient beings, are no more than research tools for the likes of Philip Morris.
Seeing how these excuses did not work, Broeckx is now trying another tactic- he argues that 70 people will be out of a job if Philip Morris is forced to close down in Leuven. Truly pathetic, for this can never be an excuse to continue exploiting animals. What's more, there are tons of jobs out there that do not involve cruelty to animals. Paul Broekcx can try and find excuses for the media and for politicians as much as he wants, but people will see through the lies and it will certainly not save Philip Morris' laboratory in Leuven.
Pol Goossen, a well known Belgian actor, came by at the demo together with his dog Wap to express his support to the campaign. Thank you Pol and Wap!Click here for the news report by ROB (in Dutch!)
Click here for the news report by Nieuwsblad (in Dutch)
Next up was the embassy of Nepal in Brussels. Nepal is a target in the Gateway to Hell campaign for their role in the international monkey trade. At previous demonstrations, the ambassador (as well as his colleagues abroad) had stated that breeding monkeys for vivisection purposes was illegal in Nepal and that it was all fabricated. So basically, they said we were campaigning against something that doesn't exist!. Unfortunately for the Nepalese government and its representatives, Gateway to Hell campaign groups already have undeniable evidence that there are indeed monkey farms in Nepal that serve as breeding facilities for vivisection. There is even solid proof that as of this very moment cruel primate experiments are conducted in Nepal itself and have been for quite some time now.
Somewhere this week, however, the campaign received an official statement issued by the Nepalese government in which they acknowledge the existence of the monkey farms, yet claim these facilities exist for conservation purposes only. The statement also mentions that on June 20, 2008, Nepal's Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation has made the decision not to export monkeys for biomedical research. It certainly looks like the Nepalese government and its representing officials change their story at their convenience.
A ban on the export of monkeys for vivisection looks promising but it is clear that the campaign against Nepal is far from over. As long as Nepal doesn't close down their monkey farms and animal testing facilities, Gateway to Hell campaigning groups will continue to protest at their embassies around the world and will attend travel exhibitions and tourism expos to inform people across the globe about Nepal's shame.
The day ended at the Cabinet of the Minister of Health, Laurette Onkelinx, in Brussels. Last week, the minister restated her promise to end tobacco testing on animals in Belgium. Two weeks ago the Anti Dierproeven Coalitie went over to the Ministry for a first reminder. Today it was time for a second reminder. This time a delegation was allowed inside where the positive news was received that at the end of next week a royal decree will be published which will put and end to tobacco experiments on animals in Belgium! It goes without saying that this decision was welcomed as a promising development in the campaign. Still activists will not sit back and wait for politicians to act in accordance to what has been promised. Until the Philip Morris' laboratory in Leuven has been shut down and all tobacco testing on animals has been prohibited by law, this campaign will carry on, not stepping back.
Until all are free!
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