Cuba approves animal welfare law after civil society pressure | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
May 29, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Aviation
    • Banking
    • Bazaar
    • Budget
    • Industry
    • NBR
    • RMG
    • Corporates
  • Stocks
  • Analysis
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, MAY 29, 2025
Cuba approves animal welfare law after civil society pressure

World+Biz

Reuters
28 February, 2021, 11:40 am
Last modified: 28 February, 2021, 11:51 am

Related News

  • US says Cuba 'not fully cooperating' with counter-terrorism efforts
  • Cuba reconnects electrical grid, restores power to much of Havana
  • Cuba's electrical grid collapses, millions without power
  • Meet Qaium: An unapologetic dog whisperer
  • Biden looks to relax Cuba sanctions in final days before Trump

Cuba approves animal welfare law after civil society pressure

The new legislation will become clear within 90 days when it is published in the Official Gazette

Reuters
28 February, 2021, 11:40 am
Last modified: 28 February, 2021, 11:51 am
Animal rights activist Elizabeth Meade shows a stray cat at her home in Havana, Cuba, February 25, 2021. Picture taken February 25, 2021. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini
Animal rights activist Elizabeth Meade shows a stray cat at her home in Havana, Cuba, February 25, 2021. Picture taken February 25, 2021. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini

Cuba has approved a long called-for decree on animal welfare in what some rights activists are hailing as an unusual triumph of civil society in the Communist-run country where animal sacrifice and cock and dog fighting remain commonplace.

The move aims to prevent cruelty and raise awareness about the need to protect animals, marking a cultural advance in a nation where strays abound and the coast is strewn with chicken carcasses sacrificed in religious rituals.

Although details remain scarce, the new legislation will become clear within 90 days when it is published in the Official Gazette.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

"Cuba was one of the few countries in Latin America that didn't have an animal welfare law so to have one now is an immense joy," Fernando Gispert, President of the Havana branch of the Cuban Association of Veterinary Medicine.

The Agriculture Ministry said the decree, which regulates scientific experiments, the handling of strays and veterinarian practices amongst other matters, responded to concerns aired in a nationwide debate over the new constitution three years ago.

For decades though, animal rights activists have called for legislation on animal welfare, largely through official channels in the one-party state where public dissent is frowned upon.

In recent years, frustrated with the slow pace of change, a younger generation has opted to exert pressure on authorities with marches, protests in public spaces and social media campaigns.

"This has set an example for all communities that want their voice to be heard," said Beatriz Batista, 23, who has become one of the leaders of the movement. "You have to pressure, pressure."

The approval of the decree underscores the extent to which Cuban civil society has strengthened of late, particularly thanks to the rollout of internet which has increased the flow of information and allowed citizens to better mobilize, analysts say.

In a country where demanding anything of the government outside official channels is frowned upon as weakening the common front against old Cold War foe the United States, it is unsurprising that a topic not deemed to be particularly sensitive should be the one to galvanize many Cubans, they say.

"While important, this decree law is a relatively low hanging fruit that both the government and civil society activists can celebrate as having picked in a tense collaboration/standoff," said Cuba expert Ted Henken at Baruch College in New York.

Animal Sacrifice

The growing voice of activists has led to a proliferation of citizen initiatives to rescue and sterilize strays and to clean the coasts and river beds of the remains of animal sacrifices.

"We are fighting for dead animals not to be left out in public spaces," said José Manuel Pérez, president of the officially recognized Yoruba Cultural Association of Cuba.

Perez said the blood of sacrificed animals had spiritual significance and sacrifices had increased of late due to a growth in believers but also due to malpractice.

The ministry said in a statement on its website that sacrifices would not be outlawed but the decree would stipulate they be conducted in a "compassionate and rapid manner, avoiding pain and stress," establishing some broad criteria.

Supporters of cock fighting, often hosted in official arenas, say it is part of Cuban, and more broadly Caribbean, culture. Activists say it should at the very least be strictly regulated to avoid unnecessary cruelty.

To those worrying the decree may not be far-reaching enough, Cuban independent journalist Monica Baro said in a widely shared Facebook post: "It is better to have a minimal framework of legal protection than nothing."

Cuba / Animal Rights / Animal welfare law

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Illustration: TBS
    Bangladesh repays $3.5b debt in 10 months of FY25
  • Photo: UNB
    Deep depression forms over Bay, tidal surges feared in 16 districts
  • JICA President Dr Tanaka Akihiko meets with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the '30th Nikkei Forum: Future of Asia', at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo on 29 May 2025. Photo: PID
    CA urges JICA to bolster support for Moheshkhali-Matarbari IDI 

MOST VIEWED

  • Google Pay. Photo: Collected
    Google Pay likely coming to Bangladesh soon
  • IFIC Bank receives Tk6,000 cr in new deposits in six months
    IFIC Bank receives Tk6,000 cr in new deposits in six months
  • Dhaka areas at a gridlock on Wednesday, 28 May 2025. Photo: Syed Zakir Hossain/TBS
    BNP, Jamaat rallies: Traffic clogs Dhaka roads, including Motijheel, Paltan, Dainik Bangla intersection
  • Abdul Awal Mintoo, chairman of National Bank Limited. Sketch: TBS
    'Regulatory support must for National Bank to restore depositors' confidence'
  • Mohammad Abdul Mannan, chairman FSIB Ltd. Sketch: TBS
    FSIB to bounce back soon
  • Mohammad Mamdudur Rashid, managing director and CEO, UCB. Sketch: TBS
    Customers’ trust and confidence fueling deposit growth at UCB

Related News

  • US says Cuba 'not fully cooperating' with counter-terrorism efforts
  • Cuba reconnects electrical grid, restores power to much of Havana
  • Cuba's electrical grid collapses, millions without power
  • Meet Qaium: An unapologetic dog whisperer
  • Biden looks to relax Cuba sanctions in final days before Trump

Features

In recent years, the Gor-e-Shaheed Eidgah has emerged as a strong contender for the crown of the biggest Eid congregation in the country, having hosted 600,000 worshippers in 2017. Photo: TBS

Gor-e-Shaheed Boro Maath: The heart of Dinajpur

2d | Panorama
The Hili Land Port, officially opened in 1997 but with trade roots stretching back to before Partition, has grown into a cornerstone of bilateral commerce.

Dhaka-Delhi tensions ripple across Hili’s markets and livelihoods

3d | Panorama
Photo: Collected

Desk goals: Affordable ways to elevate your study setup

4d | Brands
Built on a diamond-type frame, the Hornet 2.0 is agile but grounded. PHOTO: Asif Chowdhury

Honda Hornet 2.0: Same spirit, upgraded sting

4d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

Businesses set for relief as interim govt eyes major tax & fine cuts

Businesses set for relief as interim govt eyes major tax & fine cuts

33m | TBS Insight
Trying to organize free and fair elections: Dr. Yunus

Trying to organize free and fair elections: Dr. Yunus

2h | TBS Today
What approach is First Security Islami Bank taking to bounce back?

What approach is First Security Islami Bank taking to bounce back?

3h | TBS Programs
Trump's tariffs on various countries are illegal: US court

Trump's tariffs on various countries are illegal: US court

3h | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net