UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF ANIMAL RIGHTS
SEVERAL LANGUAGES
UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF ANIMAL RIGHTS
English:
Preamble
Considering
that Life is one, all living beings having a common origin
and having diversified in the course of the evolution of
the species;
Considering
that all living beings possess natural rights, and that any
animal with a nervous system has specific rights;
Considering
that the contempt for, and even the simple ignorance of
these natural rights cause serious damage to nature and
lead man to commit crimes against animals;
Considering
that the coexistence of species implies a recognition by
the human species of the right of other animal species to
live;
Considering
that the respect of humans for animals is inseparable from
the respect of man for another man.
IT IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED:
Article
1
All animals are born equal and they have the same rights to
existence.
Article
2
a) Every animal has the right to be respected.
b) Man, like the animal species, cannot assume the right to
exterminate other animals or to exploit them, thereby
violating this right. He should use his conscience for the
service of the animals.
c) Every animal has the right to consideration, good
treatment and the protection of man.
Article
3
a) No animal should be submitted to bad treatment or cruel
actions.
b) If the death of an animal is necessary, this should be
sudden and without fear or pain.
Article
4
a) All animals belonging to a wild species have the right
to live free in their natural environment, and have the
right to reproduce.
b) Each deprivation of freedom, even for educational
purposes, is in opposition to this right.
Article
5
a) Every animal that usually lives in a domestic
environment must live and grow to a rhythm natural to his
species.
b) Any change to this rhythm and conditions dictated by man
for mercantile purpose, is a contradiction of this law.
Article
6
a) All animals selected by man, as companions must have a
life corresponding to their natural longevity.
b) To abandon an animal is a cruel and degrading action.
Article
7
Working animals must only work for a limited period and
must not be worked to exhaustion. They must have adequate
food and rest.
Article
8
a) Experiments on animals that cause physical and mental
pain, are incompatible with animal rights, even if it is
for medical, scientific, commercial or any other kind of
experiment.
b) A substitute technique must be investigated and
developed.
Article
9
In the eventuality of an animal bred for food, it must be
fed, managed, transported and killed without it being in
fear or pain.
Article
10
a) No animal should be used for entertainment.
b) Animal exhibitions and shows that use animals are
incompatible with anÊ animal's dignity.
Article
11
Every action that causes the unnecessary death of an
animal, is cruel which is a crime against life.
Article
12
a) Every action that causes the death of a lot of wild
animals is genocide, that is a crime against the species.
b) Pollution and destruction leads to the extinction of the
species.
Article
13
a) Dead animals must be treated with respect.
b) Violent scenes, where animals are the victims, must be
forbidden at the cinema and on TV, unless they are for the
demonstration of animal rights.
Article
14
a) Protection and safeguarding associations must be
represented at government level.
b) Animal rights must be defended by law as are human
rights.
The text of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF ANIMAL RIGHTS has
been adopted from the International League of Animal Rights
and Affiliated National Leagues in the course of an
International Meeting on Animal Rights which took place in
London from 21st to 23rd September 1977.
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