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Spain considers a ban on children at bullfights as debate over tradition heats up

The government wants to stop minors attending events involving animal violence, saying it could harm children’s wellbeing

Spain’s long-running conversation about bullfighting has flared up again, this time over whether children should be allowed through the gates at all. The government is considering a new law that would ban under-18s from both attending and taking part in bullfights and any other events where animals are harmed.

The proposal comes from the Ministry of Youth and Children, led by Sira Rego, and would form part of the reform of Spain’s child protection law, known as LOPIVI. It’s a move backed by the United Nations, which has repeatedly urged Spain to protect minors from exposure to animal violence. Back in 2018, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child advised Spain to keep children away from bullfights, warning of the potential “harmful effects” these displays could have on young minds.

Minister Rego confirmed last week that the government aims to act on that advice. “The law will prohibit both participation and attendance of anyone under 18 in activities or shows where violence is used against animals,” she said, arguing that it’s part of a wider effort to “strengthen protections for children and align with international standards.”

Government sources say the proposal is based on research showing that early exposure to violence can affect how children develop empathy and understand conflict. The explanatory text behind the reform states that such experiences “can desensitise minors to the suffering of others, normalise violence as entertainment, and have a lasting impact on emotional wellbeing.”

While bullfighting is the main focus, the wording of the proposed law is broader and could extend to other events where animals are harmed. Officials have yet to clarify whether that might include traditional festivities such as bull runs, leaving questions still open about how far the rule would reach.

The debate has quickly grown beyond politics. Supporters of the measure believe it’s an overdue step to modernise Spain’s laws and place child welfare first. Opponents, however, view bullfighting as an essential part of Spanish culture and family tradition, arguing that excluding children could sever a link between generations. Many local communities see bullfighting as part of their way of life, passed down through families over centuries.

The proposed reform doesn’t stop at bullfighting. Other changes within LOPIVI would extend the statute of limitations for sexual offences against minors until the victim turns 45, legally recognise “institutional violence” against children, and ensure that every child has their own independent legal representation.

The Ministry of Youth and Children is now waiting for feedback from other departments, including Justice, before the bill goes to the Council of Ministers and begins its parliamentary journey. If approved, Spain would become one of the first European countries to introduce a nationwide ban on minors attending bullfights.

For now, it stirs an age-old debate that continues to divide opinion: preserve tradition, protect children from harm, or is it time to rethink these events entirely?

Image: patrick gantz/Pixabay

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