1. Weaknesses in Legal and Executive Structures:
One of the most significant challenges in the field of animal welfare in Iran is the weakness and inadequacy of existing laws, as well as their ineffective enforcement.
- Insufficient and Ambiguous Laws: Laws related to animals in Iran are often scattered, inadequate, and ambiguous. The precise definition of animal abuse, the determination of its instances, and the assignment of penalties proportionate to the crime are not clearly and comprehensively stated in the laws. This leaves room for various interpretations and potential abuses.
- Light Penalties: The penalties considered for animal abuse are often very light and non-deterrent. Small fines or short prison sentences cannot have a significant impact on reducing violent behavior against animals. This leads offenders to feel secure and unafraid of serious consequences for their actions.
- Lack of Proper Law Enforcement: Even in cases where relatively better laws exist, their supervision and proper enforcement face serious challenges. The shortage of specialized and trained personnel in responsible institutions, the lack of prioritization of this issue, and weaknesses in following up and addressing reports of animal abuse are among these challenges.
- Absence of a Centralized and Powerful Institution: In Iran, there is no centralized and powerful institution specifically responsible for addressing issues related to animal rights. This responsibility is divided among various organizations, reducing overall coordination and effectiveness.
2. Cultural and Social Issues:
Cultural and social attitudes and beliefs play a significant role in how individuals treat animals.
- Traditional and Instrumental Attitudes: In some traditional viewpoints, animals are primarily seen as tools to meet human needs (such as work, food, or entertainment), and their intrinsic rights are given less consideration. This attitude can create a foundation for neglecting animal welfare and even abusing them.
- Lack of Public Awareness and Education: The level of public awareness regarding animal rights, their needs, and the negative consequences of animal abuse is often low. The country’s education system also does not seriously address this issue. This lack of awareness can lead to unintentional or indifferent behavior towards animals.
- Violence Against Animals as Psychological Release: Unfortunately, in some cases, individuals use animals as targets to release their anger and frustrations. This behavior indicates deeper psychological and social problems that require attention and treatment.
- Insufficient Empathy and Compassion: Developing a sense of empathy and compassion towards living beings, including animals, requires appropriate cultural and educational foundations. In societies where this sense is not sufficiently strengthened, the likelihood of violent behavior increases.
- Impact of Economic and Social Problems: In difficult economic and social conditions, attention to issues related to animals may be given lower priority. Individuals struggling with livelihoods may have less concern for animal welfare. Additionally, the increase in stray animals in such situations can lead to problems and inappropriate treatment.
3. Weaknesses in Support Structures and Non-Governmental Organizations:
Non-governmental organizations and animal rights activists play a crucial role in raising awareness, supporting injured animals, and pursuing cases of animal abuse. However, these structures face challenges in Iran.
- Limitations in the Activities of Non-Governmental Organizations: Animal welfare activists and organizations may face limitations in their activities, fundraising, and expanding the scope of their work.
- Shortage of Financial and Human Resources: Many of these organizations operate voluntarily and with limited financial resources. This shortage can reduce their ability to provide effective assistance and seriously pursue cases of animal abuse.
- Lack of Effective Coordination and Cooperation: Sometimes, a lack of proper coordination and cooperation among various animal welfare organizations, as well as with government agencies, can reduce the effectiveness of efforts.
- Lack of Sufficient and Standard Shelters: The number of standard and well-equipped shelters for caring for stray and injured animals in Iran is very limited. This causes many animals to be abandoned in unsuitable conditions or kept in non-standard ways.
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4. Power and Influence of Stakeholder Groups:
In some cases, groups with specific interests may resist efforts to protect animals.
- Animal-Related Industries: Some industries, such as industrial livestock farming with substandard conditions, unethical circuses and zoos, and illegal animal traders, may resist stricter animal welfare laws because these laws could jeopardize their interests.
- Profit-Driven Attitudes: Some individuals may view animals with a profit-driven perspective, keeping them in inappropriate conditions or abusing them to exploit them.
5. Insufficient and Ineffective Media Coverage:
The media can play a significant role in raising awareness and changing public attitudes towards animals. However, media coverage of issues related to animal rights in Iran is often insufficient and ineffective.
- Lack of Educational and Awareness Programs: The number of television programs, radio shows, or press articles that seriously address the issue of animal rights and the consequences of animal abuse is very limited.
- Focus on Extreme and Emotional Cases: In many cases, the media only covers extreme and distressing cases of animal abuse and neglects to address the root causes of this problem and provide preventive solutions.
- Lack of Utilizing the Capacity of Celebrities and Public Figures: The use of the capacity of famous and influential individuals to support animal rights and raise public awareness has not been sufficiently addressed.
Why "Victory" is Not an Accurate Word:
Despite all the challenges mentioned, it cannot be claimed that animal abusers have completely “won” over animal lovers. In recent years, we have witnessed an increase in public awareness, the formation of more active animal welfare groups, and efforts to improve and enforce laws. The widespread publication of animal abuse cases in cyberspace has also led to greater attention to this issue and public reactions.
Therefore, the current situation can be better described as an unequal struggle in which animal advocates face numerous obstacles and challenges. To improve this situation and move towards better protection of animal rights in Iran, there is a need for coordinated and continuous efforts in various legal, cultural, educational, and executive fields. These efforts must be supported by government agencies, non-governmental organizations, the media, and the general public to witness positive and sustainable changes in this area.
Ultimately, addressing this issue requires accurate scientific research, sociological and legal studies, and specialized dialogues with the participation of various stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of the roots and various dimensions of this problem and to provide more effective solutions.
