Animal Rights Activism in the Netherlands
On 6 May 2002, the Netherlands was confronted with the assassination of Pim Fortuyn. As the perpetrator had a long history as an animal rights activist, animal rights activism as a whole suddenly found itself in the limelight of negative publicity, both in the media and in the political arena.
From that moment on, especially the more radical animal rights activists have been confronted with more suspicion and criticism than before. Although this category of animal rights activists hastened to condemn the assassination in strong terms, so far they have still been unclear about how far they themselves would be prepared to go.
Animal rights activists use many campaign types that are widely considered acceptable within the Dutch society. Practically nobody will take offence at demonstrations with banners, the distribution of pamphlets or an open debate with the public. Even the more direct action types, usually referred to as extraparliamentary or civil disobedience, meet with some sympathy. These include picketing, but also short, peaceful sit-ins.
Over the past decade, however, a radicalisation developed among a small part of the animal rights activists, which has led to an increasing tendency to resort to violent methods. These radical activists do not confine themselves to verbal assault, but they also increasingly threaten persons and inflict serious material damage. In several cases the damage caused by, for example, liberation of minks, vandalism, but also arson attacks amounted to millions. On the other hand, however, even in circles of animal rights activists only a small group of sympathisers approves of this type of action.
In recent years, the conclusion that within animal rights activism in the Netherlands certain individuals do not shrink from using means that border on or even overstep the limits of the Dutch law has led to a social but also political debate about the question whether excesses of animal rights activism should not be combated more vigorously. The question whether in some cases such violent manifestations should be qualified as terrorism has also been a prominent subject for discussion, even in Parliament.
This paper describes the history and development of political activism in the Netherlands where it concerns animal welfare and animal rights. It focuses on the composition of the action groups, the background of the activists, their methods and targets, as well as the international component of activism. This leads to the question of what risks are involved in the violent manifestations of this activism.
Finally, when focusing on the combat of excesses, the role of the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) in this area will be described. In addition to preventing attacks, the AIVD also tries to provide insight into the excesses of animal rights activism by separating the sheep from the goats.
The annex gives an overview of the evolution in thinking about animals. Many of the animal rights activists are interested in this historic development and see it as a source of inspiration for continuing their resistance against causers of perceived cruelty to animals. The ALF doctrine quoted in the annex serves as a handbook for radical animal rights activists.