Animal Cruelty

International Progress Organization condemns mass slaughter of dolphins

Bárður á Steig Nielsen
Prime Minister of the Faroe Islands
Tórshavn
Faroe Islands

We have taken note of the reports, including an extensive video documentation, of the Grindadráp at Skálabotnur beach on 12 September 2021.

On the basis of the facts, we strongly condemn this most cruel and barbaric act. The mass slaughter of more than 1,400 dolphins, driven into the bay at Skálabotnur with the help of modern technical equipment, namely speed boats and jet-skis, cannot be justified by reference to any kind of ethnic tradition.

Dolphins are one of the most intelligent and sentient animal species on earth. Their ruthless and inhumane butchering – in several cases, the hunters did cut still living animals into pieces – constitutes a most serious case of animal cruelty that is in violation of international conventions and punishable under existing Danish law. Under conditions of modern economy, the mass slaughter is also a highly frivolous act since the inhabitants of the Faroe Islands do not anymore depend on cetacean meat for their subsistence.

Animal cruelty on this scale is not only morally abhorrent, but also raises questions of criminal responsibility. We call on the authorities of the Faroe Islands and the Kingdom of Denmark to investigate the incident of 12 September. The authorities should take appropriate measures to prevent the reoccurrence of such practices that are in breach of the law and have severely tarnished the reputation of the Faroe Islands.

The International Progress Organization will support all initiatives, at the European and global level, to put an end to the cruel mass slaughter of animals under the false pretext of preserving tradition.

Dr. Hans Köchler

President

International Progress Organization

BBC

Video documentary

Sea Shepherd