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NEWS

23.12.2008

The Farmyard Guarantee – Sad Reality instead of Picture Book Scenes!

As in many other countries there are numerous trade symbols used in Austria which should give consumers security concerning the products or services they wish to buy. These guarantees often give a misleading representation of reality

19.12.2008

Amnesty International Criticises use of Section 278a against Animal Protection

Strong criticism also from the Austrian Association of Judges and human rights organisation ARGE Daten about the erosion of basic rights as a consequence of increasing surveillance measures.

02.12.2008

500 Take Part in Austrian Animal Rights Conference

Varied topics, much discussion!

25.11.2008

Victims of Police Attack severely Traumatized

Authorities criticised for employing unnecessarily brutal measures and not being made accountable for their psychological consequences

16.12.2008

Illegal Pheasant Shoots, Hunters caught in the Act!

While a special commission investigates innocent animal protection campaigners, hunters are breaking the law throughout the whole country

17.11.2008

Austria Discusses State Repression against NGOs

Threat of trial, conviction and future acts of state repression give cause for concern

11.11.2008

Section 278a: Some have been hit, but all are being targeted!

Guilty by association: Valid for NGO campaigns?

11.10.2008

Second largest slowenian daily newspaper interviews VGT spokesperson

State repression against animal protection in Austria is increasingly criticized abroad

28.10.2008

Austria Celebrates 10 Years without Fur Farms

Symposium to mark the anniversary of this historical event: Fur farm ban is ten years old!

29.10.2008

Austrian Supreme Court Delivers Ruling

The Austrian Supreme Court has delivered its verdict on the appeals made by the animal protection remand prisoners against their remand custody

27.10.2008

DNA-Tests prove innocence

Animal Rights Repression Update

02.10.2008

Further House Raid for Animal Campaigner

When are the authorities going to leave animal activists in peace to get on with animal protection work?!

01.10.2008

When will we see Police Special Commission for Animal Abuse?

Animal abuse, recognised as unlawful, is 2500 times more frequent than crimes motivated by a concern for animals. Violence towards animal protectionists and organisations ignored by police.

11.09.2008

Statement from Martin Balluch after his release:

Its now been a week since I was released from prison. 104 days in a prison cell are over. It is seriously shocking to see how far police repression will go in order to stop legitimate and successful protest for animals in the name of a majority of the population, just because it runs contrary to the profit interests of a powerful minority.

08.09.2008

March to Abolish Section 278a of the Austrian Criminal Code

800 people march through the city of Vienna for a free society

05.09.2008

VGT confronts Austrian Conservative Party over Animal Protection Failures

The Austrian Conservative Party is the only Austrian party preventing important progress in animal protection.

04.09.2008

SPÖ Justice Speaker Jarolim makes renewed statement on animal protection justice scandal

In a press conference on 2 Sept 2008 Hannes Jarolim addressed the issue of Section 278a of the Austrian Criminal Code

04.09.2008

Animal Protection in the Constitution – successful Campaign kick off– Animal Protection Prisoners free!

Coincidence or ironic fate?

03.09.2008

All Prisoners Released!

The senior prosecution office today ordered the Wiener Neustadt prosecutors to release the 9 imprisoned animal protectionists without delay!

02.09.2008

Animal Rights Party Enters Austrian Parliamentary Elections

The Austrian Animal Rights Party which was founded in 2007 received enough support to be able to enter the up coming parliamentary elections

02.09.2008

Austrian Imprisoned Animal Rights Campaigner runs as Green candidate in September Election

After 100 days on remand custody with out concrete charge or evidence, leader of the Austrian Greens Alexander Van der Bellen has visited Dr Martin Balluch in prison and has invited him to run as an independent candidate for the Greens in the upcoming national election on 28th September.

29.08.2008

100 Days Custody - Animal Protection Custody Scandal

Evidence implies special commission (Soko) intends to deliberately damage animal protection association

29.08.2008

Vegan Prison Soap

If anyone is interested at all in my daily Prison life here in „JA Eisenstadt, Austria“ I’ll try to write down my everyday worries, experiences and thoughts.

26.08.2008

Message to the International Animal Rights Movement

3 months incarcerated – and no end in sight!

25.08.2008

Great Ape Project Spain Visits Austrian Chimp Matthew Pan

In the wake of the exciting news that the Spanish Parliament has passed a resolution to drastically change its law concerning great apes, David Diaz from The Great Ape Project (GAP) Spain visited Vienna and met chimpanzee Matthew Pan, Matthew’s friend and advocate Paula Stibbe and his lawyer Mag. Eberhart Theuer.

13.08.2008

One Animal protectionist Released from Remand!

Is the nebulous construction of a “criminal organisation” beginning to fall apart?

11.08.2008

Some Thoughts from our Prisoners

Night time in the cell
Freedom
The total desperation at being separated from those dearest to you

11.08.2008

Parents demand the release of their children; the animal protection prisoners

07.08.2008

Solidarity Vigil at the 2008 European Vegetarian Union Congress in Dresden

On wednesday, during the congress around 350 of the delegates, well over half, from the EVU congress walked over to the Consulate with banners and large photos of the prisoners.

01.08.2008

Message from Elmar, one of the Prisoners!

Brothers and Sisters, dear Animal Movement, dear Supporters of our cause!

28.07.2008

Questions to Animal Welfare Spokespersons from Austrian Political Parties

In the run up to the Austrian elections in autumn of this year VGThas put the following questions to the animal welfare spokespersons from the major political parties:

28.07.2008

Criminal Charges made against Austrian State Officials by Peter Pilz of the Austrian Green Party

25.07.2008

News from the Prisoners

These were not normal vegan birthday parties. Last week we “celebrated” Kevin’s, Jürgen’s and Felix’s birthdays outside the prisons

17.07.2008

Systematic Illegal Surveillance of Animal Protectionists

Green Party press conference: Charges being prepared against the investigating officers

10.07.2008

Overwhelming Support for the Animal Protection Prisoners

We want to send out heart felt thanks to all those supporting our Austrian animal protection prisoners

11.07.2008

DDr. Martin Balluch’s Address to the Court at Remand Review Hearing of 7th July 2008

11.07.2008

Urgent Parliamentary Question

The Austrian Green Party will use the strongest parliamentary measure that an opposition party has at its disposal and will put an urgent parliamentary question today!

08.07.2008

Scandal of Justice Continues: New Extension of Remand in Custody for Animal Protectionists

Because the suspects refused to renounce animal protection, their remand in custody was extended on the grounds that there remains the risk they will perpetrate criminal offences!

08.07.2008

Letter from Mag. Stefan Traxler, Attorney at Law

04.07.2008

MP Peter Pilz Visits Martin Balluch in Prison

Directly followed by a press conference outside the entrance to the prison

04.07.2008

Message to the international animal rights movement regarding my hunger strike on my 43rd day of incarceration

03.07.2008

Justice Speaker Jarolim: Proceedings against animal protectionists becoming constitutional problem

Further apparently invalid evidence against the animal protectionists

Hunger strike day 43, 2nd July 2008

Messages from the Prisoners

It has now been almost six weeks since we have had our companions by our side. We know from visits to the prisons that one of the most import things to the prisoners is the correspondence that they are receiving from around the world.

Hunger strike day 43, 2nd June 2008

Chief Public Prosecutor: Breaking Down of Doors was Unlawful

The first response from the chief public prosecutor concerning the objection filed against the house searches has now been received by the defence lawyers. The verdict from the higher regional court concerning this matter is expected next week

Hunger Strike: Day 41: 30th June 2008

Austrian Arrests, New Development: Public Prosecution Fabricates Arson Attack

In an attempt to justify remand custody and draconian police measures, a hunting cabin, which burnt down as a result of an over heating stove, was used against the animal protections as an accusation of arson

30.06.2008

You can help Chimpanzee Matthew Pan…

Support the Appeal to the European Court of Human Rights

30.06.2008

Spanish Congress Announces Legal Rights for Great Apes

In a historical breakthrough the Spanish Congress has announced that it will back legal rights for great apes (gorillas, chimpanzees and orang-utans)

27.06.2008

Criminalisation of Animal Protection in Austria

162 organisations worldwide object to this repression by the Austrian state.

25.06.2008

Worldwide solidarity with the imprisoned animal protectionists!

An open rescue action in Australia symbolizing liberation for the imprisoned animal protectionists!

24.06.2008

Austrian Social Democrats and Greens question detainment

Very critical official Parliamentary Questions have been put by the Social Democrats and the Greens, calling into question the large-scale police operation against animal protectionists

21.06.2008

Summary of Police Methods

Questionable methods of investigation, questionable measures, questionable argumentation

21.06.2008

Police Repression against Animal Protection in Austria: A Summary

21.06.2008

Eye Witness accounts of Raids from 21 May 2008

Living in and visiting the remand centres

18.06.2008

DDr. Martin Balluch is being artificially fed

17.06.2008

The Dark Side of Austria....

25 VEREIN GEGEN TIERFABRIKEN (VGT) supporters demonstate the dark side of Austria visually, amid the cheerful football atmosphere

17.06.2008

Austrian Newspaper, Die Presse: Guest Commentary from Dr Madeleine Pertrovic

For Martin......

16.06.2008

Martin Balluch needes your help!

Martin writes from his cell:

13.06.2008

“Everything was done by the book, I’m not saying any more!”

Spokesperson for the Ministry of the Interior, Lieutenant Colonel Rudolf Gollia spoke with Gerd Maier from Ökonews

12.06.2008

Imprisoned Animal Protectionists: DDr Martin Balluch Continues Hunger Strike

Growing evidence that the Public Prosecutor’s Office ordered searches of homes and offices without any clear indication Dr Martin Balluch, chairman of the Association against Animal Factories, remains in hunger strike

11.06.2008

Horse and Carriage Rides: Are the Authorities hindering welfare Improvements?

Concerned authority official transferred to different department

09.06.2008

Weinzinger about the animal protectionists: “Scandalous remand in custody continues further”

Green Party demand the release of the activists

09.06.2008

Social-Democrat Party Speaker for Justice Concerned

Hannes Jarolim concerned about the appropriateness of the measures

08.06.2008

Imprisoned animal protectionists: Austrian daily newspaper 'Kurier' spreads falsehoods

Association against Animal Factories (VGT) defends itself against damaging allegations

06.06.2008

Animal protectionists remanded in custody 4 more weeks!

The justice scandal worsens

05.06.2008

Statement from Amnesty International

The Human Rights Organisation, Amnesty International stands up for the Ten imprisoned Animal Protectionists

04.06.2008

Appeal from Dr Martin Balluch, still in prison

VGT press conference and solidarity demonstration before the Ministry of Justice

05.06.2008

4th June: International Day of Action against Repression and in Support of Ten Animal Protectionists on Remand

05.06.2008

"Sec 278a: Only some have been hit, but we're all being targeted"

The goal is to silence the animal protection movement!

03.06.2008

"Sec 278a: Only some have been hit, but we're all being targeted"

Protest action against the use of Sec 278a of the Criminal Code to imprison peaceful animal protectionists

03.06.2008

Hunger strike 15 days: Martin moved to Prison Hospital Wing. Minister of Justice remains silent

Please write a protest mail to the Minister of Justice, Dr Maria Berger

31.05.2008

Police impeding legal animal rights activities

Day 11 of the animal rights prisoners hunger strike

30.05.2008

Scandal in Raids on Animal Protectionists: Charges against police for abuse of authority

Did the police incorrectly quote witness statements?

30.05.2008

World-Wide Solidarity Demonstrations and Message From Nobel Prize Winner Elfriede Jelinek

First Rally in Front of the Ministry of the Interior Yesterday in Vienna

27.05.2008

VGT(Association against Animal Factories) Chairman Phd. Martin Balluch: Official Statement regarding Hunger Strike

I have not eaten since Tuesday May 20th

29.05.2008

Animal rights campaigners held in custody protest harsh treatment by Austrian authorities

Seven on hunger strike after being held on remand without charge for eight days

28.05.2008

Austrian Green Party critisises Crown Prosecution Service for withholding documents from lawyers whilst detainees continue with hunger strike

27.05.2008

Austria. Indefensible Attack against Animal Welfare Movement

Twenty-four House and Office Raids, Ten Arrests, No Concrete Charges, and a String of Human Rights Violations result in Seven People on Hungerstrike

24.05.2008

International Solidarity Demonstrations and Declarations of Support

From all over the world declarations of support and encouragement are being sent to us and other animal protection associations

20.05.2008

Is chimp „Hiasl“ a person?

Appeal of verdict of the Austrian Supreme Court in „Hiasl-trial“ submitted to European Court of Human Rights in Strassbourg

19.05.2008

Animal Transporter Stopped on the outskirts of Vienna

VGT activists stopped a transporter yesterday at 11 a.m. on the outskirts of Vienna which was fully loaded with bulls. Police were called and an inspection was carried out.

19.05.2008

VGT exposes appalling conditions of Austrian long-distance live animal transport!

Hundreds of Austrian calves transported long-distance to be reared in illegal conditions in Italy

28.04.2008

300 activists march for animal rights in Vienna!

Before the yearly Annual General Meeting, VGT activists from all over the country walked through the city calling for rights for animals

21.04.2008

Protest March in Vienna against Blood-sports

Anti blood-sports march is a huge success

16.04.2008

In Vitro Meat Consortium Symposium, Norway, 9-11 April 2008

Just imagine, not ever having to persuade people not to eat meat again!

10.04.2008

Peak Performance Stays Fur-Free!

Following the international day of action, supported by VGT, Peak Performance announces that they will remain fur-free

10.04.2008

Vögele: The Next store to Turn its Back on Fur!

Another success for anti-fur campaigners

31.03.2008

Worldwide Day of Action against IC Company’s Pro-Fur Policy

VGT demos on 29th March in Innsbruck and Vienna

18.03.2008

Executioner strikes at Kleider Bauer, Innsbruck ...

... and further updates on the anti-fur campaign against retailer Kleider Bauer from around Austria

17.03.2008

Protest March against Fur in Zagreb

Almost 400 protesters demand a Europe-wide import ban on seal pelts

14.03.2008

VGT starts demotour with pig-comic-foto opportunities for children and adults to support our demands

Try to see the world from the point of view of the pigs

10.03.2008

Success for Animal Rights Party in first State Parliamentary Elections

For the first time in Austria a party devoted to the rights of animals was running for election

27.02.2008

Action Week against Vienna’s Horse-drawn Carriages

Thirty-eight charges made against horse-drawn carriages following a week of spot checks carried out by activists

20.02.2008

VGT gives talk in Maribor, Slovenia

At the request of local animal rights group, VGT activist takes part in new social movements’ symposium.

19.02.2008

Big anti-fur march in Graz

The city of Graz is making waves as campaigners there continue to succeed in achieving the aim of a fur free Graz

13.02.2008

VGT- Activists Get Naked Against Chinese Fur!

International day of action against the Chinese fur industry takes place in Vienna outside the Chinese Embassy

06.02.2008

Nationwide Stand against Austria's Last Fur Selling Department Store

Austrian activists campaign, across the country, for last national, fur selling department store to go fur-free!

30.01.2008

Twenty-six Years: Annual Protest in Vienna in front of the Hunters’ Ball

One hundred animal rights activists voice their disgust at hunters and countless fur wearers, who proudly show-off their animal abusing ways

15.01.2008

Austrian Supreme Court refuses legal guardian for chimp Hiasl

Applicant has no legal standing – will apply to European Courts of Human Rights because of unfair trial procedures

21.12.2007

Austrians ever more appalled at Blood Sports as VGT exposes Hunting Myths

13.12.2007

The Ban on Caged Rabbit Farming put into Practice

The Implementation and political implications of the law

23.11.2007

Success! Ban on keeping rabbits in cages

After intense campaigning the Austrian Parliament include ban on caged rabbits in the amendment to the Animal Welfare Law

20.11.2007

Animal Liberation Workshop in Vienna

150 participants filled the large lecture hall in the squatted cultural centre called WUK in the Währingerstrasse, to find out how best to be active for animal rights

19.11.2007

Hunters attack Animal Rights Activists!

Hunters lose control at shoot: shot hits umbrella held by peaceful activist, activists thrown to the floor and beaten.

12.11.2007

Animal Liberation Workshop 2007 in Graz

70 participants learned thoughout a whole weekend how to be active for animal liberation – the animal rights movement is gathering momentum

06.11.2007

VGT presents Dossier: A Ban on Cages for Rabbits

Draft bill, concerning rabbit farming, to amend animal welfare law is completely unacceptable

04.11.2007

Halloween March against Fur!

A colourful and very loud march made its way through the city of Vienna on the first Saturday in November

30.10.2007

Police Brutality against Peaceful Protesters

The Crown Prosecution Service see no need for court proceedings

25.10.2007

Austria’s Home Secretary Publicly Criticized

Complaints made by the VGT about political attack against them pay off.

23.10.2007

Animal Liberation Workshop in Innsbruck

The animal rights movement in Western Austria is picking up speed

22.10.2007

VGT Activists Demonstrate against Hunters’ Church Service

This annual religious service is given in praise of Saint Hubertus.

19.10.2007

Animal Liberation Workshop 2007 in Linz

First ALW of the Austrian series from 13.-14. October in the Haus der Frau

17.10.2007

Twenty-one Romanian horses saved from slaughter!

After many days of struggle VGT activists have managed to rescue and secure the future of the twenty-one Romanian horses, who were destined for slaughter.

15.10.2007

VGT-activists prevent ongoing journey for horses being transported to a slaughterhouse in Belgium.

Once again the illegal long-distance transport of horses is stopped on Austria’s roads!

27.09.2007

Verdict in trial on legal guardianship for a chimp appealed to High Courts in Austria

Provincial Court in Wr. Neustadt turns down appeal against negative decision of district court, claiming the applicant has no right to appeal

30.08.2007

Austrian activist found not guilty in fur farm trial in Finland

Verdict puts a stop to the criminalisation of legitimate animal rights activism, the activist says

30.05.2007

Minister of the interior gave false statement to Parliament to deceive public on “violent nature” of VGT

Police chief lies and fabricates facts to justify demo ban – VGT sues minister for libel

29.05.2007

Animal Liberation Workshop in Maribor

The second ALW this season was held from 26th-27th May in Slovenia

14.05.2007

Successful Animal Liberation Workshop 2007 in Estonia

The first of the Animal Liberation Workshops this year in Europe took place in Estonia from 4th – 6th May

13.05.2007

Is it advantageous to have an animal rights party in politics?

Marianne Thieme from the Dutch Animal Rights Party debated with Austrian Green Party MP Brigid Weinzinger on 13th May in Vienna

25.04.2007

Is a chimp a person? – Judge sees apes now in a different light

The trial on the question of legal guardianship for chimp Hiasl will continue on appeal in the provincial court in Wr. Neustadt

27.04.2007

Pig breeder beats heavily injured animal with steel-pipe

In front of the eyes of the police a pig breeder in Upper Austria tried to kill a "breeding sow" by beating her with a steel-pipe. The unfortunate animal had been lying in the entrance to the farm for many hours with a broken back before the farmer began his brutal attack...

27.02.2007

World first: Great Ape trial in Austria

In a groundbreaking case at the Mödling district court, south of Vienna, Austria, a judge is to rule whether a chimp deserves a legal guardian

23.03.2007

Austrian Courts overturn bird trapping ban

On the 22nd March the constitutional courts in Austria ruled the federal ban on the regional tradition of bird trapping was "unconstitutional".

19.02.2007

140 march in Ljubljana, Slovenia, against fur

15.02.2007

Campaigns against police demo bans

The new anti-fur campaign against Kleider Bauer (KB) really took off in Austria

12.01.2007

Broken election promises: new Socialist government after election

06.02.2007

Kleider Bauer campaign gathering momentum

When clothes retailer P&C finally capitulated after a 4-year anti-fur animal rights campaign, Kleider Bauer (KB), the only large Austrian department store still selling fur, became the next target.

14.11.2006

The heat is turned up in Austria

300 animal rights activists took part in an anti fur demonstration in Vienna on Saturday 11th November, which marked a weekend of animal rights action in Austria.

23.10.2006

Bird trappers caught red handed

In defiance of the 2005 ban on the trapping of songbirds in Austria, another season of bird trapping started on 15th September.

17.10.2006

1st Animal Rights Conference for South-East Europe a success

The first Animal Rights Conference for South-East Europe took place in Vienna, Austria on 14th and 15th October

31.08.2006

Bird trapping season begins in Austria

Song Bird trapping season in the Salzkammergut region of Austria is due to begin in mid-September amid controversy over a national animal welfare law that makes the practice illegal.

04.09.2006

Austrian activists call old vivisection law outdated

At a demonstration in front of the Austrian Parliament, animal rights campaigners have demanded a new legislation on animal experiments to replace the existing law which campaigners have described as outdated

16.08.2006

More success for Austrian anti fur campaigners

After the 4-year campaign against Peek & Cloppenburg (P&C), ended with success for anti fur campaigners

03.08.2006

Victory for Austria pheasants imminent as 2 pheasantries close down

Two Austrian pheasantries have closed down after a concerted effort by animal rights activists on several fronts to have the practice of breeding birds for shoots permanently banned.

02.06.2006

Pet keeping in Austria in decline

New animal welfare laws in Austria have lead to a decline in the number of pet shops.

18.05.2006

Activists highlight the plight of horses in Vienna

Austrian animal rights activists demonstrated against the traditional horse carriages in Vienna.

24.04.2006

200 March in Austria

Saturday 22nd April, saw World Day for Lab Animals marked in Austria by a March and Rally against animal experiments.

25.04.2006

EU threat against Austrian circus animal thwarted

After complaints by foreign circuses, the EU commission threatened to undo the Austrian ban on wild animals.

20.04.2006

Austrian libel case against hunt sabs

Austrian animal rights group, Verein Gegen Tierfabriken (VGT) has been sued for libel by a hunter after the group posted a report on a hunt sab in November 2005.

NEW ARTICLES

Many thanks to all concerned!

5th September 2008: Day of Solidarity

Protests took place outside numerous Austrian embassies and in front of UN buildings

Released, but still threatened!

The Prisoners

Christian, Christof, Elmar, Felix, Jan, Jürgen, Kevin, Leo, Martin, Sabine

Your Help Counts!

Online petition, appeals via email and a lot more!

You can support the 10 Animal Protectionists with a Mouse Click.

14.04.2008

Comment: Abolitionism versus Reformism

Reply to Francione's comment to „Abolitionism versus reformism“

25.03.2008

Abolitionism versus Reformism

or which type of campaign will lead to animal rights eventually

18.01.2008

Trial on personhood for chimp „Hiasl“

Hiasl: The whole story

11.12.2007

Animal Law: what VGT has achieved in Austria!

After 10 years of direct campaigning, VGT has achieved an impressive set of laws protecting animals that sets a new standard worldwide

 

EVENTS

Join the movement!

Animal Liberation Workshops for beginners

ALW 2007: Workshops in Estonia, Slovenia, Lettland, Switzerland and Austria.

 

TIPS

EVU Database

Vegan Recipes

Look for your favourite in about 2.000 vegan recipes.

EVU Database

Vegetarian Restaurants in Europe

Search for vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Portugal and Switzerland.

 

ARTICLES

April 2007

Animal issues in school

January 2007

Facts about broiler chickens

January 2007

Animal issues in school

January 2007

History of the Austrian Wild Animals Interdiction in Circus’

28.09.2006

Investigation reveals horrific conditions in Austria's pig farms

30.08.2006

Human Meat for Sale on the streets of Austria

A series of 7 actions have taken place in 7 cities in Austria; all aimed at highlighting to people the reality of eating meat.

31.10.2005

Photos of trapping Song Birds in Salzkammergut, Upper Austria

16.10.2005

Trapping Song Birds

Photos

18.11.2005

Austrian activists got in the way of a battue

18.11.2004

Office Occupation

January 2005

Broiler chickens in Austria

Short film
1:40 min, 3 MB

 

 

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