Rapport d'étape
Concerning Child Protection
Since autumn 2004, the author of this report and Jean Poignet are the representatives of Youth Protection Committee of the FLAC.
The purpose of this committee is to denounce, alert against, and even prevent all attempts at the harmful recruitment of children, particularly in relation to the pernicious effects of bullfighting.
It should be known that in some towns of the south of France, there are schools dedicated to "Spanish Bullfighting", in witch very young children are taught to used the dagger to kill.
Moreover, putting these children face to face with calves and young cows often much bigger than themselves exposes them to serious risks.
Another aberration is that in France, children are admitted to all bullfights, often free of charge. Several official reports (Kriegel, Brisset) acknowledge the traumatising effect of these violent "shows" on children. On the contrary, in Spanish Catalonia access to bullrings is forbidden to children under 14.

In the order to accomplish our noble but difficult mission, we thought it will be a good idea to contact associations for the protection of youth, as well as government organisation.
We proceeded by phone, by mail, and also by going personally to the Paris headquarters of these organisations.
The results, after nearly two years of such measures, are quiet disappointing
For example, in a letter dated 14.12.2004, the President of UNICEF writes:" As far as your question about bullfighting schools goes, the only answer I can give you now, is in accordance with the CHILD RIGHTS CONVENTION, witch calls for the respect of cultures and educational choices of parents".

In a letter of 2.11.2005, the federation " the child voice "
( la Voix de l'Enfant), answer: " After reading your letter and after some investigation, we notice that the article 521-1 of the penal code permits bullfights; also that a bill was introduce on 8th June 2004, with the intention of banning them. In Catalonia, a law of 1995 protects children and teenagers from bullfights by prohibiting their entrance to the bullring. These elements show that these exhibitions, and participation in them, are harmful for youth.
This federation acknowledges the negative impact of bullfighting, but does not make any commitment at our side to denounce it and to fight against it." A letter was send on the 18.05.2005; with and again on 27.09.2005, to the "study group for the protection of children and youth" within the French National Assembly.

To date, we have receive no answer !On 12.07.2006, Jean Poignet received a letter from Ms Versini, child defender (her position is officially recognised by the French Republic), In witch she declares: "whatever the interest of the cause you serve I am unfortunately unable to give any favourable response to your request."

Over the last two years, we have contacted many organisations by phone:" Children of the World" (Enfants du Monde), " Foundation for children" (Fondation pour l'Enfance), " Children and sharing" (Enfance et Partage), etc...with no further success.
Some, even answered by saying that " it is a tradition so we can't do anything about it" We might ask why slavery was abolished !!!

In conclusion to this brief report of our activities on the Youth Protection Committee, we can say that most of the associations or government services witch deal with youth protection do not follow up when call upon by us.
But we still go on by all possible means remembering constantly that the physical and psychological protection of children is an imperative duty witch we refuse to shirk.

Written the 13th August 2006 by Joêl Lunel, co- representative* for the Youth Protection Committee of the within the FLAC.
*alongside Jean Poignet



Reception / 2005 / 2006