Minors allowed back at bullfights in the Balearic Islands
11-12-2024The parliament of the Balearic Islands has, to the great dismay of CAS International and our sister organizations, decided to once again allow minors under the age of 16 to attend bullfights, provided they are accompanied by an adult. This legislative change was initiated by the far-right party Vox and supported by the conservative Partido Popular (PP).

Minors allowed back at bullfights in the Balearic Islands | Picture: CAS International
In 2017, the Balearic government prohibited children under 16 from attending bullfights to protect them from the violence inherent in these events. Unfortunately, this ban has now been reversed.
A step backward
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child requested Spain in 2018 to keep minors away from the violence of bullfighting. Regrettably, Spain continues to ignore this request and is even taking steps backward. Until recently, the Balearic Islands were among the few Spanish autonomous regions that protected children from these violent events.
In July 2024, the European Link Coalition published a report on Spain’s non-compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Read the report here!
Campaign against bullfighting
CAS International has worked intensively for years to end traditional bullfighting in the Balearic Islands through the campaign Mallorca Sense Sang (Mallorca Without Blood), in collaboration with AnimaNaturalis and with support from Humane Society International.
A major milestone of this campaign was the 2017 ban on minors attending bullfights. However, the administration of the Balearic Islands is now in the hands of the conservative parties PP and Vox, who actively seek to preserve bullfighting. They have now overturned this ban.
Maite van Gerwen, Director of CAS International, commented:
“The decision to allow minors back into bullfights is a significant step backward in protecting children from the violence inherent in these events. This runs counter to the values of humanity and respect for animals. By making this decision, the responsible parties signal a blatant disregard for the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. We will urge the UN to hold Spain accountable for violating the convention it has signed.”
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