**Animal Party Criticizes BirdLife Cyprus for Protest Absence**
The Animal Party has publicly criticized BirdLife Cyprus for its absence from a recent protest against the far-right political party Elam, which is facing scrutiny for its proposal to discuss “environmental activists and the phenomena surrounding them” at an upcoming House environment committee meeting. The protest took place on September 16 outside the parliament.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Animal Party expressed disappointment with BirdLife Cyprus, stating that prior to the protest, party leader Kyriacos Kyriacou reached out to the organization to encourage its participation. According to the Animal Party, BirdLife Cyprus communicated that it had decided not to attend, citing concerns about its public image and the anticipated turnout at the protest.
The Animal Party questioned the reasoning behind BirdLife Cyprus's decision, asking, “Since when is the defence of the environment, wildlife, and those fighting against poaching measured in numbers?” They emphasized that the absence of BirdLife Cyprus was particularly concerning given that 18 civil society organizations had collectively signed a letter to parliament regarding the issues at hand.
The criticism highlighted the perceived contradiction in BirdLife Cyprus's stance, as the organization had previously expressed dissatisfaction over not being invited to the environment committee meeting. The Animal Party remarked that the situation raises important questions about the commitment of organizations tasked with wildlife protection when they choose not to align themselves with other civil society groups advocating for environmental issues.
The statement from the Animal Party further elaborated on the implications of BirdLife Cyprus's absence, stressing that it undermines the collective voice of those advocating for environmental activism. “We cannot ask for our voice to be heard inside parliament while simultaneously being absent when the public is outside parliament defending environmental activism,” the statement read.
The protest was organized in response to concerns that the discussion led by Elam could shift focus from poaching and illegal bird trapping to a critique of activists who report such illegal activities. This sentiment was echoed during the committee session, where Akel MP Yiorgos Loukaides accused Elam’s chairman of deliberately targeting environmental organizations, claiming that they were not given a fair opportunity to defend themselves.
During the same session, Pantelis Hadjiyerou, the chief of the game service, claimed that legal hunters were being “terrorized” by activists. This statement was met with criticism, as it suggested a narrative that could potentially vilify those advocating for wildlife protection.
The ongoing tensions between environmental activists and hunting interests in Cyprus have been a point of contention, with various stakeholders voicing their opinions on the balance between conservation efforts and hunting practices. The Animal Party's criticism of BirdLife Cyprus underscores the complexities within the environmental advocacy community, particularly in the face of political challenges.
As the debate continues, the Animal Party remains firm in its stance that collaboration among organizations is essential for effective advocacy and protection of wildlife. The absence of BirdLife Cyprus from the protest has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of environmental organizations in supporting one another, especially during critical moments when public awareness and activism are needed most.