This kind of abuse by the state, and its punitive arms, that targets and oppresses those who
practise ethical abstention from meat-eating, is of the same order as a long
history of oppressions against difference. Unless all of us, no matter what
attitudes held toward veganism, stand up for people’s rights to be fed and
clothed in a manner that accords with their deep-held beliefs — such as people
who object to the usage and exploitation of animals — it is akin to
disrespecting different cultural practice or religious belief. It is different,
and it is the same. To leave someone to starve because they refuse to eat meat,
or foods affected by meat, is a denial of life rights, and will one day be seen
as the extreme persecution it is. We stand by this peaceful protester’s rights
of choice, and whatever someone’s perceived crimes are, to deny them their
rights of conscience is to deny them their humanity. If prisons and authorities
treat people like this, it’s on a continuum with how animals are treated. Such
deliberate deprivation is hate on a level that all should condemn, whatever
their beliefs.
And as for the far-right
West Australian newspaper and its
aggressive and provocative coverage of the issue — the use of ‘notorious’ and ‘vegan’
in the same article speaks of their agenda of exploitation, violence and
oppression.
Here are some links on approaches to the rights of vegans in prison in the UK; the second is a general page at the UK Vegan Society which includes a link to their booklet on providing vegan food for both prisoners and staff.
John
Kinsella
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