Colombia to Vote on Bullfighting Ban

Colombia is one of just eight countries where bullfights remain legal. Many places in those countries are establishing restrictions¹ on the activity. Courts and city governments in Spain and Mexico have issued rulings that have discouraged the events.

In December, Colombia's Senate approved a measure to ban bullfighting nationwide. Lawmakers in the House of Representatives could take up the legislation when it returns from its three-month break.

Bullfights have been a part of life in Colombia for hundreds of years. But much of the public now disapproves² of the practice because of ethical³ concerns.

"We are talking about living and feeling beings," said Andrea Padilla. She is a recently elected senator and longtime animal rights activist⁴ who wrote the anti-bullfighting law.

"These are mammals...who shouldn't be exposed to a slow and painful death."

Padilla's law proposes banning all bullfights within three years. It also demands immediate⁵ reform of bullfighting shows. It bars the use of some weapons and the killing⁶ of the animal.

Bullfighting supporters say those measures would effectively end the tradition.

In bullfights, the bull is fought and taunted⁸ in three stages that last about six minutes each. First, a horseman injures the bull with a long wooden weapon with a metal point. Then, assistants rush up to the bull to push sharp sticks into the animal's upper back. Lastly, the bullfighter stabs and kills the bull.

Supporters of bullfights say the ban would destroy an art form. They also say it will cause job losses. They argue that politicians like Padilla are trying to force their beliefs on others.

Studies suggest bullfighting supporters are a small percentage of Colombia's population. In a November public opinion study by research company Datexco, 85 percent of Colombians said they agreed with a ban on bullfights. Just 13 percent said they were against a ban.

However, in Colombia's House of Representatives many politicians have been unwilling⁹ to ban it. Some lawmakers say they prefer a bill that "moderates" bullfights by making some of the weapons used in these events less violent.

In some parts of Colombia, like the city of Manizales, bullfights still interest thousands of people each year. The local Red Cross owns the bullfighting center in that city. Its yearly bullfighting celebration raises thousands of dollars for a children's hospital.

"It's sad that people who don't know anything about our sector¹⁰ want to make laws about us," said Sergio Alzate. The 22-year-old hopes to become a bullfighter, or matador¹¹. He attends the city's bullfighting school.

Still, Senator Padilla and thousands of others in Colombia argue that there is no ethical reason for events where animals are killed for show.

She added that her bill directs the government to help create new sources of money for people working in bullfights.

Words in This Story

discourage — v. to make less determined¹², hopeful, or confident

mammal — n. a type of animal that feeds milk to its young and that usually has hair or fur covering most of its skin

expose — v. to cause to experience something or to be influenced or affected¹³ by something

taunt⁷ — v. to say insulting things in order to make that person angry

sector — n. a part of an economy that includes certain kinds of jobs

1 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

2 disapproves   

v.不赞成( disapprove的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• She disapproves of unmarried couples living together. 她反对未婚男女同居。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Her mother disapproves of her wearing transparent underwear. 她母亲不赞成她穿透明的内衣。 来自辞典例句

3 ethical   

adj.伦理的，道德的，合乎道德的

参考例句：

• It is necessary to get the youth to have a high ethical concept.必须使青年具有高度的道德观念。
• It was a debate which aroused fervent ethical arguments.那是一场引发强烈的伦理道德争论的辩论。

4 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

5 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

6 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

7 taunt   

n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄

参考例句：

• He became a taunt to his neighbours.他成了邻居们嘲讽的对象。
• Why do the other children taunt him with having red hair?为什么别的小孩子讥笑他有红头发？

8 taunted   

嘲讽( taunt的过去式和过去分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落

参考例句：

• The other kids continually taunted him about his size. 其他孩子不断地耻笑他的个头儿。
• Some of the girls taunted her about her weight. 有些女孩子笑她胖。

9 unwilling   

adj.不情愿的

参考例句：

• The natives were unwilling to be bent by colonial power.土著居民不愿受殖民势力的摆布。
• His tightfisted employer was unwilling to give him a raise.他那吝啬的雇主不肯给他加薪。

10 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

11 matador   

n.斗牛士

参考例句：

• The matador and bull performed wonderfully in the ring.斗牛士和公牛在斗牛场中进行阗精彩的表演。
• The matador had a narrow escape.这个斗牛士真是死里逃生。

12 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

13 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。