Denouncement against the labor exploitation of child toreadors

Mexico – Last January 31 in the Cali bullring, one of the children who was taking part in a ‘novillada’, (a training fight with young bulls), was injured after receiving a blow from a horn. Following this the Federation of the Committees of Animal Liberation has deposited a denunciation before the Ministry to bring sanctions against the persons in charge of this lamentable spectacle. The Federation seeks protection in article 117 of the law 1098/06 which states that ‘no person younger than 18 years of age should employed in any work that implies danger or is harmful to his health and physical or psychological wellbeing.’ Apparently, the organizers of the bullfight ignored also the Resolution 01677 of the year 2008, which protects minors from working in slaughterhouses and/or with animal sacrifice. In addition to denouncing these serious infractions, the Ministry has also been asked to initiate the necessary steps to guarantee the rights of the child toreadors: Guillermo Valencia and Michelito Lagravere. (February, 2010).