Jordi Casamitjana

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Jordi Casamitjana
Born1964
Catalonia
OccupationAnimal rights activist

Jordi Casamitjana (born 1964) is a vegan, zoologist,[1][2] animal protection campaigner, and animal rights activist.[3]

Biography[edit]

Casamitjana was born in Catalonia in 1964 but is a British citizen living in the UK since 1993. He identifies as an ethical vegan.[4] In April 2018, he was fired from the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) after he disclosed to his colleagues that it was investing in firms related to animal testing. Casamitjana claimed that LACS's decision to fire him was based on his ethical vegan belief.[5] LACS said it was because of gross misconduct. He took legal action against LACS, which ended in an out-of-court settlement in his favour.[6] The landmark case confirmed that ethical veganism is protected under the Equality Act of 2010 in the UK as a philosophical belief.[7] This was the first time the specific belief of ethical veganism had been legally recognised and protected in any jurisdiction in the world.[8][9] He is also the author of the book Ethical Vegan: a Personal and Political Journey to Change the World.[10]

Activism[edit]

He was heavily involved with the first successful prosecutions under the Hunting Act 2004[11] and in the ban on bullfighting in Catalonia.[12]

Casamitjana was one of the expert witnesses before several parliaments during the debates that led to the successful passing of animal protection legislation. For instance, on 3rd March 2010, he spoke as an ethologist before the Environmental Commission of the Catalan Parliament for the ban of bullfighting in Catalonia.[13][14] On 22nd October 2014, he spoke before the Commission of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Food and Environment of the Catalan Parliament for the ban on wild animals in circuses.[15][16] On 13th November 2016, he spoke before the Climate Change, Environment, and Rural Affairs Committee of the Welsh Assembly for the ban of snares.[17] On 21st May 2019, he spoke before the Public Bills Committee of the UK Parliament for the ban of wild animals in circuses.[18]

Casamitjana also helped to close several zoological collections in the UK as part of his anti-zoo campaigning. For example, Glasgow Zoo,[19][20] and several small petty zoos in the Scottish county of Fife.[21]

Casamitjana has worked as a freelance animal protection consultant,[22] undercover investigator[4][11] and writer,[23][24] and as an employee of campaign departments of several animal protection organisations, including the Monkey Sanctuary (Wild Futures),[25] the Born Free Foundation,[19] the League Against Cruel Sports,[26][27] CAS International,[28] the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW),[29] and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) UK.[30]

Selected works[edit]

Books[edit]

  • The Demon's Trial (2006)[31]
  • Ethical Vegan: A Personal and Political Journey to Change the World (2020)[32]

Academic articles[edit]

  • Eco-ethological Aspects of Polistes (Hymenoptera:Vespidae) in Catalonia (I): Study of the Nest Location of a Semi-urban Population of Polistes dominulus Christ, 1791. Ses.Entom.ICHN-SCL, VI (1989): 87-96'[33]
  • Ecoethological Aspects of Polistes (Hymenoptera:Vespidae) in Catalonia (II): Study of a Population of Polistes omissus Weyrauch 1939, in a Strelitzia reginae plantation. Ses.Entom. ICHN-SCL, VII (1991): 59-65[34]
  • The vocal repertoire of the Woolly Monkey Lagothrix lagothricha. Bioacoustics, 13 (2002): 1-19[35]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Shadwell, Talia (2019-12-20). "Sacked vegan calls for lifestyle choice to be recognised like a religion". The Mirror. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  2. ^ Jones, Harrison (2020-02-25). "Ethical vegan 'sacked after calling for pension to avoid unethical companies'". Metro. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  3. ^ Forster, Katherine. "Jordi Casamitjana interview: I'm a vegan thanks to Franco and wasps". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  4. ^ a b Who Is Ethical Vegan Jordi Casamitjana?
  5. ^ "Sacked vegan brings landmark discrimination case". BBC News. 2020-01-02. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  6. ^ "Jordi Casamitjana vegan tribunal a 'victory for animal protection'". BBC News. 2020-03-02. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  7. ^ "Ethical Veganism Explained | Slater + Gordon". www.slatergordon.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  8. ^ "Tribunal Says Veganism Is Legally a Philosophical Belief". Lawyer-monthly. 2020-01-20. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  9. ^ Improving the Law for Animals: a Campaigning Lawyer’s Perspective
  10. ^ "Ethical Vegan: A Personal and Political Journey to Change the World". 2020-12-05. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  11. ^ a b Jeanette Rowley and Carlo Prisco (2021). Law and Veganism. International Perspectives on the Human Right to Freedom of Conscience. Lexington Books. ISBN 978-1-7936-2261-7.
  12. ^ Catalonia's bullfight ban provokes emotional response
  13. ^ Antecedents parlamentaris del 200-00028/10. VIII legislatura. Compareixences
  14. ^ Toros en Cataluña: segundo aviso
  15. ^ Diari de Sessions del Parlament de Catalunya
  16. ^ “Per fer cinc minuts d’espectacle, pateixen tota una vida”
  17. ^ Cofnod y Trafodion - The Record of Proceedings. Y Pwyllgor Newid Hinsawdd, Amgylchedd a Materion Gwledig - The Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee
  18. ^ Wild Animals in Circuses (No.2) Bill (First sitting)
  19. ^ a b TDid Glasgow’s zoo feed its unwanted pets to the snakes?
  20. ^ Animal welfare group claims Glasgow Zoo should close because of squalor
  21. ^ Pets Corner: 20 years ago this month Fife’s parks lost a popular feature
  22. ^ Suffering Deep Down Investigation 2004
  23. ^ Author: Jordi Casamitjana | Vegan FTA
  24. ^ La difícil situación de la megafauna en el mundo| Vegan FTA
  25. ^ "The ethical vegan who walks instead of taking the bus to avoid squashing insects". BelfastTelegraph.co.uk. 2020-01-03. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  26. ^ "Jordi Casamitjana vegan tribunal a 'victory for animal protection'". 2020-03-02. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  27. ^ "'Ethical vegan' settles tribunal case against charity". The Guardian. 2020-03-02. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  28. ^ "Bullfighter film Manolete draws animal rights wrath on Penelope Cruz". The Telegraph. 2008-10-11. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  29. ^ "Do we really need to control foxes in the UK?". www.discoverwildlife.com. Retrieved 2024-02-26.
  30. ^ London Zoo defends its late-night parties amid protests from animal activists
  31. ^ The Demon's Trial
  32. ^ Ethical Vegan A Personal and Political Journey to Change the World
  33. ^ Aspectes ecoetòlogics de les vespes del gènere Polistes de Catalunya (I): Estudi de la nidificació d'una població semiurbana de Polistes Dominulus Christ, 1791 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)
  34. ^ Aspectes ecoetològics de les vespes del gènere polistes de Catalunya (II): Estudi d'una població de polistes omissus Weyrauch, 1939 (Hymenoptera: vespidae) en una plantació de Strelitzia Reginae
  35. ^ The vocal repertoire of the Woolly Monkey Lagothrix lagothricha

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