Animal Party criticises BirdLife Cyprus over absence from protest

Nicosia, Cyprus. The Animal Party criticised BirdLife Cyprus for not attending a protest it organised outside parliament against Elam’s decision to table a discussion on environmental activists at a House environment committee meeting.

Protest participation

The party said its leader, Kyriacos Kyriacou, contacted a BirdLife Cyprus representative before the September 16 protest to discuss the organisation’s participation.

It said BirdLife Cyprus had decided not to take part, citing concerns primarily related to its public image and the expected turnout.

The Animal Party asked whether the defence of the environment, wildlife and those fighting poaching should be measured by attendance numbers.

Joint letter and committee meeting

The party said 18 civil society organisations had signed a joint letter to parliament on the matter and questioned the message sent when an organisation mandated to protect wild birds did not join them outside parliament.

It added that the issue was of greater significance because BirdLife Cyprus had publicly expressed dissatisfaction at not being invited to the environment committee meeting.

While respecting every organisation’s right to decide its own course of action, the Animal Party said the public had a right to know the choices made by entities involved in nature conservation, wild bird protection and the fight against poaching.

Debate over environmental activism

The party said it could not seek to have its voice heard inside parliament while being absent when the public was outside parliament defending environmental activism.

It also said the discussion, initially intended to focus on poaching and illegal bird trapping, should not shift towards restricting or controlling those who identify and report illegal acts and assist the competent authorities.

At Wednesday’s committee session, Akel MP Yiorgos Loukaides accused the committee chairman, an Elam MP, of deliberately targeting environmental organisations, saying: “You put the organisations in the dock, but you do not allow them to defend themselves.”