Target: Alison Johnstone, Presiding Officer of Scottish Parliament
Goal: Help end retaliatory surveillance operations against activists who made alleged animal welfare violations public.
Widespread animal welfare violations allegedly took place at a Scottish salmon farm. Fish were reportedly discovered infested with parasites, with malformed spines, and even with their skin torn away. The horrific alleged conditions only came to light due to a group of dedicated activists. Now these individuals claim they are the targets of a deliberate campaign of retribution.
Activists have reported being photographed, followed, and having their personal and financial records perused by employees of surveillance firms. The surveillance operations are apparently carried out largely by former military and law enforcement officers who have since gone into private contracting work. Salmon farms under the spotlight and other special interests are theorized to be behind these invasions of privacy.
While inquiries have been launched regarding police departments using such tactics against animal welfare activists, private firms have almost no rules or regulations to keep them in line. Sign the petition below to demand leaders close this gap that is a threat to both human rights and animal rights.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Presiding Officer Johnstone,
Animal welfare violations happen every day because resources and personnel cannot possibly track all the cases. When average people expose these injustices, they should be commended, not condemned to a life of fear and retribution. But this precise outcome has reportedly befallen activists who exposed alleged horrific abuses at a Scottish Salmon Company salmon farm.
Activists who provided video footage of the reported abuse and made these claims public allege they have been surveilled and harassed by private firms working on behalf of the very entities at the center of the scandal. Inquiries were launched when similar allegations were made against police departments, and legislation was put in place to prevent violations in the name of “intelligence gathering.” Private intelligence firms should not be held to a lower standard or no standard at all, especially when these outlets are quite possibly being used as weapons by powerful special interests.
Please facilitate strong legislative guardrails and investigate these claims and related allegations that are deterring individuals from blowing the whistle on abuse in all forms.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: US Geological Survey
