Spain Moves to Ban Minors from Attending Bullfighting Events to Protect Them from Violence

The Spanish Ministry of Youth and Childhood has proposed banning minors from attending or participating in events that involve violence against animals, primarily bullfighting, in a move aimed at protecting children and adolescents from the psychological and physical repercussions of these activities.

Expanding the Child Protection Law

The proposal is part of a plan to expand the Basic Law for the Protection of Children and Adolescents from Violence (LOPIVI), which has been sent to the relevant ministries and is awaiting final approval from the ministries of the presidency, justice, and relations with parliament before being presented to the cabinet.

Response to UN Recommendations

Minister of Youth and Childhood, Sira Rego, stated that “the proposed law clearly stipulates the prohibition of children and adolescents from attending or participating in any events where violence against animals is practiced,” noting that the amendment aligns with the recommendation of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child from 2018, which called for the protection of minors from exposure to such practices.

Psychological and Behavioral Risks

The explanatory memorandum for the project indicated that violent activities pose serious risks to the physical and psychological safety of children, potentially negatively affecting their development of empathy and contributing to the normalization of violence as a form of entertainment, which reflects on their views on conflict resolution and the use of force.

Broader Legal Amendments

The draft law also includes expanded amendments to enhance the protection of children and adolescents, including:
Extending the statute of limitations in cases of sexual assaults to 45 years
Ensuring children are heard in all legal proceedings affecting them
Including gender-based violence and institutional violence among the prohibited crimes for those working with minors
Defining legal responsibilities and monitoring any shortcomings in protection
Aligning with international standards
The project aims to align Spanish legislation with international recommendations and expand mechanisms for protecting children and adolescents from various forms of violence, ensuring accountability and effective handling of any potential violations.