Dutch MPs target ritual slaughter

28 June 2011 Last updated at 16:58 GMT Muslim and Jewish communities said the legislation infringed on their religious freedom The Dutch lower house of parliament has passed a law effectively banning the ritual slaughter of animals, in a move condemned by Muslim and Jewish groups.

The legislation states that all animals must be stunned before being killed.

But the Islamic dhabiha and Jewish shechita methods of ritual slaughter require them to be fully conscious.

The legislation was proposed by an animal rights party with two MPs, which argued that failing to stun the animals subjected them to unnecessary pain.

But debate over the matter swiftly became a focus of animosity towards the Netherlands' 1.2 million-strong Muslim community. The country's Jewish population is comparatively small at 50,000.

Following months of debate a last minute concession was offered - the Muslim and Jewish communities will have a year to provide evidence that animals slaughtered by traditional methods do not experience greater pain than those that are stunned before they are killed.

However, observers say finding such proof will be virtually impossible.

The bill must still be approved by the upper house of parliament before it can become law.

Religious freedom

Before Tuesday's vote, the head of the Party for the Animals, Marianne Thieme, denied the bill was an attack on religious minorities.

She argued the law was necessary because scientists agreed that animals suffered pain or fear if they were not stunned before slaughter, and because current regulations allowed exceptions for ritual slaughter.

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One of the first measures taken during the Occupation [by Nazi Germany during World War II] was the closing of kosher abattoirs”

End Quote Binyomin Jacobs Dutch Chief Rabbi "If you stun an animal before it's been killed, the animal won't experience its own death," she told the BBC World Service. "If you have new techniques to ensure there's no unnecessary suffering then you have to use it."

"Three-thousand years ago, there were no anaesthetics," she added. "But since then we have developed more humane methods."

In a rare show of unity, the Muslim and Jewish communities condemned the legislation and said it infringed on their religious freedom.

"One of the first measures taken during the Occupation [by Nazi Germany during World War II] was the closing of kosher abattoirs," Dutch Chief Rabbi Binyomin Jacobs told MPs during a debate in The Hague.

"If we no longer have people who can do ritual slaughter in the Netherlands, we will stop eating meat," he added.

The Party for the Animals said two million animals were subjected to ritual slaughter every year in the Netherlands, although the organisation Halal Correct said only 250,000 were killed without being stunned beforehand.

To make meat kosher for Jews or halal for Muslims, animals must be slaughtered while still awake, by swiftly cutting the main arteries and veins in their necks with sharp knives, and then allowing the blood to drain out.

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Air strikes 'target Yemen tribes'

27 May 2011 Last updated at 11:41 GMT Sanaa has already seen several days of street battles Yemeni government forces have carried out air strikes against tribal forces opposed to President Ali Abdullah Saleh, tribesmen say.

They said air force planes struck an area in Naham province, outside the capital, Sanaa, leaving an unknown number of dead and injured.

Government and tribal forces have been battling each other for days.

Supporters of the government and the opposition have both called for large demonstrations later on Friday.

President Saleh has faced a wave of popular protests similar to those seen in other Arab countries, as well as a mounting challenge from a rival clan.

Since Monday, more than 80 people have been killed in fighting between fighters loyal to Sheikh Sadiq al-Ahmar, head of the Hashid tribal federation, and security forces.

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The air strikes reported in Naham province, north-east of Sanaa, appear to mark a further escalation in recent fighting.

One tribal leader, Sheikh Ali Saif, told the Associated Press that his forces had taken control of a Republican Guard camp in Naham to try to prevent government forces from travelling to the capital to fight tribal gunmen.

Meanwhile, fighting also flared in the southern city of Zinjibar when dozens of armed militants believed to be linked to al-Qaeda stormed the city, attacking security forces, residents told Reuters news agency.

President Saleh has repeatedly refused to sign a deal that would see him transfer power within a month to a unity government.

It would also give the president immunity from prosecution.

Friday prayers have been a traditional rallying point for protesters calling for Mr Saleh to step down.

Anti-government protesters used Facebook and text messages this week to call for a "Friday of Peaceful Revolution".

One message said the rally "is to stress the peacefulness of the revolution and rejection of efforts to drag the country into a civil war".

Saleh supporters were planning their own "Friday of Law and Order" rally.

A text message said their rally would "condemn the crimes against our rights and the rebellion against the country".

During recent fighting in the capital, hundreds of residents have fled or taken refuge in basements to escape the mortar strikes.

On Friday, the leaders of the G8 group of wealthy nations issued a communique calling on Mr Saleh to stick to his commitment to end his 33-year rule.

"We condemn the use of violence in response to peaceful protest throughout Yemen," the statement read.

"We urge President Saleh to immediately follow through on his commitments and ensure that the legitimate aspirations of the Yemeni people are addressed."

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