Exploratory analysis of animal rights field in Turkey: Identities and discourses

In this study, the historical change in the field of animal rights in Turkey is analyzed in the context of actions and discourses. In this framework, the conditions of animals and animal rights have been examined from the Ottoman period to the present day, and the legitimization of the defense of animal rights has been analyzed in detail. In this context, the discourses and the ways in which the field of animal rights has been legitimized over time have been examined. For this purpose, the actions and discourses of animal rights defenders, who are important actors in the field, have been examined with the support of legitimation strategies in the literature and organizational theory. In addition, the demands for legal regulation raised by animal rights defenders through actions and protests as well as awareness raising activities such as trainings, conferences and panels were also analyzed on a periodical basis. In the study, Cumhuriyet Newspaper's news on "animal rights" were taken as a data set; the discourses of animal rights NGOs, local administrations, Religious Affairs and the Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons, which are important actors in this field, were analyzed during the period. In addition, for each period, legal regulations, demands for legal regulations and criticisms of deficiencies have also been discussed. Significant events in the field of animal rights were also included in the study, and the effects and transformations of these events were analyzed. As a result of the examinations and analyses, it has been determined that both NGOs fighting for animal rights and the state have experienced a great change. Animal rights protectors, who in the past tried to organize in a narrow circle, have increased in number over time and have continued their struggle in a collectivist manner throughout the country. With the widespread use of the Internet, these organizations gained the opportunity for international solidarity and organized joint protests with activists abroad.In addition, "animal protection associations", which helped street animals to be killed in a "humane" way in the first years of the Republic, have experienced a great change in time, started to oppose all kinds of killing, and some animal rights protection NGOs even organized protests against the Feast of Sacrifice. In the analyses conducted, it has been determined that the state has also undergone a significant change over time. In the past, the state, which publicly culled stray animals and even involved the people in this culling through rewards, has changed its attitude with the pressure of animal rights NGOs. The state, which has largely abandoned its culling policy, at least in front of the public, has become open to co-operation with NGOs and has put legal regulations on its agenda to protect animals. Keywords: Animal Rights Field, Animal Rights Organizations, Legitimization, Legal Regulations