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G20 Commits to Global Coral Reef Conservation

Saudi Environment Deputy Minister Osama Faqeeha
Saudi Environment Deputy Minister Osama Faqeeha
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G20 Commits to Global Coral Reef Conservation

Saudi Environment Deputy Minister Osama Faqeeha
Saudi Environment Deputy Minister Osama Faqeeha

G20 Environment Deputies have discussed global environmental challenges and the importance of protecting the environment even in times of crisis.

Saudi Environment Deputy Minister Osama Faqeeha reaffirmed the commitment to the Saudi G20 Presidency aim of Safeguarding the Planet and the G20’s commitment to contribute to land and coral reef conservation.

“The G20 recognizes the fundamental role of critical land and marine ecosystems in nature and in society. Together, we are committed to continue working in a spirit of cooperation to promote sustainable conservation of terrestrial and ocean ecosystems,” the Saudi G20 Secretariat on Thursday quoted him as saying in a statement.

During the International Workshop on Coral Reef Conservation that preceded the meeting, G20 members, invited guests and regional and international organizations addressed the causes of coral reef degradation, its impact, and potential solutions, said the statement.

Participants noted that coral reefs possess ecological and socioeconomic value that benefits more than 1 billion people, with a global economic value that exceeds $1 trillion, it said.

The Environment Deputies are scheduled to hold a third round of talks ahead of the G20 Environment Ministers Meeting in September 2020, it added.

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Thousands of Turks Protest Controversial Law to Remove Stray Dogs 

People shout slogans during a protest against a bill approved by Turkish legislators that aims to remove stray dogs off the country's streets, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (AP)
People shout slogans during a protest against a bill approved by Turkish legislators that aims to remove stray dogs off the country's streets, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (AP)
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Thousands of Turks Protest Controversial Law to Remove Stray Dogs 

People shout slogans during a protest against a bill approved by Turkish legislators that aims to remove stray dogs off the country's streets, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (AP)
People shout slogans during a protest against a bill approved by Turkish legislators that aims to remove stray dogs off the country's streets, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. (AP)

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Istanbul on Sunday to protest recent legislation that critics say is leading to the killing of stray dogs across Türkiye.

Last month, legislators approved the new law aimed at removing millions of stray dogs from Turkish streets citing safety concerns. Animal-lovers fear it will lead to widespread culling or dogs ending up in disease-ridden and overcrowded shelters.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the law was necessary to deal with the country’s “stray dog problem.”

Sunday’s protesters called for the law to be repealed, brandishing posters reading “shelters are death camps” and “withdraw the bloody law.”

“We want this law to be withdrawn immediately,” protester Hasan Kizilyatak, 64, told The Associated Press. “They (stray dogs) are living beings, just like us. We are here because we are against them being annihilated.”

Ayten Arslan, 55, who said she supports Erdogan, also showed up to protest.

“Just like we stood beside our president on July 15 (2016) when there was a coup attempt, we are here for the stray animals,” she told the AP. “I say as an AK Party supporter, this law, is a bloody law.”

The main opposition Republican People’s Party moved to repeal the law in the Constitutional Court less than two weeks after it passed.

The government estimates that around 4 million stray dogs roam Türkiye’s streets and rural areas. Although most are harmless, several people, including children, have been attacked.

A report released by the Safe Streets and Defense of the Right to Life Association, an organization campaigning for the removal of all stray dogs from the streets, says that 65 people have died in street dog attacks since 2022.

The new legislation requires municipalities to collect stray dogs and house them in shelters to be vaccinated, neutered and spayed before making them available for adoption. Dogs that are in pain, terminally ill or pose a health risk to humans will be euthanized. The initial draft bill included cats, but that article was changed after a public outcry.

However, many question where cash-strapped municipalities would find the money to build the necessary extra shelters required.

Animal rights activists worry that some municipalities might kill dogs on the pretext that they are ill rather than allocate resources to shelter them.

Videos showing dead cats and dogs buried in ditches have been circulating on social media recently. Animal rights activists say the animals were indiscriminately killed after the passage of the law.