In a significant move, the Spanish Council of Ministers has approved a royal decree aimed at definitively prohibiting comic-bullfighting shows that demean individuals with disabilities. This reform to the Bullfighting Regulations emphasizes the need to uphold human dignity in such events and explicitly bans any performances that involve mockery or public denigration of disabled persons, particularly those with dwarfism. By adding a new provision to Article 90 of the Regulations, the government seeks to close any legal loopholes that could allow for such disrespectful displays.

This decree reinforces existing restrictions laid out in the General Disability Law, which is currently undergoing reforms to categorize such degrading practices as very serious infractions. Violators will face hefty fines ranging from 600,000 to 1 million euros. This regulatory change is part of a broader effort to protect the rights and dignity of disabled individuals in Spain and indicates a strong governmental push against public displays of mockery and humiliation.

However, the announcement has stirred controversy among dwarf bullfighters, who argue that such policies infringe on their personal freedoms and livelihoods. They previously expressed their discontent in this newspaper, asserting their right to choose their own paths and not be restricted by government regulations. This situation highlights a broader societal debate in Spain about disability rights, representation, and individual autonomy, as differing perspectives clash over the cultural significance and ethical implications of comic-bullfighting shows.