GAIA action
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6 December 2024

A new legislative proposal that would restore the right of animal protection organizations like GAIA to take legal action against animal abuse is currently under discussion in the Belgian Parliament. Alongside 55 other organizations, GAIA is calling on politicians to support this critical law proposal. According to an IPSOS survey conducted in November 2024, on behalf of GAIA, an overwhelming majority of Belgians back this initiative.

Restoring Justice

Since the controversial ruling by the Belgian Court of Cassation on June 11, 2024, animal protection organizations like GAIA have been unable to take legal action against animal abusers or file as civil parties in cases of animal abuse. This decision, based on the alleged lack of “personal interest,” sparked widespread societal outrage.

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To address this situation, Member of Parliament Meyrem Almaci (Flemish Green Party, Groen) has submitted a legislative proposal. During the first hearings on October 22, GAIA President, Michel Vandenbosch, alongside legal experts, alongside legal experts, emphasized the necessity of that proposal. On December 10, new hearings are scheduled to conclude the debates in the Justice Committee, ahead of the final vote

A worrying setback for animal protection

For decades, organizations like GAIA were able to act as civil parties in court, playing a crucial role in defending mistreated animals and ensuring perpetrators were held accountable. Since June, however, this right has been removed.

Dit zijn quotes

“This leads to cases of animal abuse going unpunished, which is unacceptable.

Michel Vandenbosch
GAIA President

Previous legislative efforts

The fight to restore this right is not new. In 2020, Sophie Rohonyi and François De Smet (French-speaking Democratic Federalist Independent party, DéFI) introduced a similar legislative proposal. Despite widespread public support, the proposal was never brought to a vote. The current initiative by Meyrem Almaci represents a renewed opportunity to restore this essential right.

Strong public support in Belgium

The IPSOS survey reveals:

  • 79% of Belgians believe animal protection organizations should have the legal right to take action against animal cruelty and violations of animal welfare laws.
  • 72% think politicians should actively support this law proposal. 
  • Six out of ten Belgians say that their electoral support for and positive perception of political parties would increase if those parties supported the law proposal.

These findings clearly demonstrate that the majority of Belgians recognize the crucial role of animal protection organizations like GAIA in holding animal abusers accountable. 

A call to action for politicians

“We urge politicians to support this legislative proposal. More than 7 out of 10 Belgians believe that just as environmental organizations have the right to take legal action to protect the environment, organizations advocating for animals should have the right to defend them in court. If the current situation remains unchanged, many cases of animal abuse will go unpunished."

Michel Vandenbosch
GAIA President

In an open letter, 55 animal protection organizations from across the country are calling on federal parliamentarians to support the legislative proposal. This reform would enable GAIA and other organizations to once again defend animals in court and resume their crucial role in prosecuting animal abusers.

The hearings in the Justice Committee of the federal Parliament on Tuesday, December 10, will be an important moment in the parliamentary process. GAIA calls on committee members to show their support for proposal of law. It is necessary to enshrine their crucial role as defenders of animals in court into legislation to ensure animal welfare in Belgium..

Letter to Parliamentarians
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