Blogging About Critters Since 2007

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Great Apes to Get Basic Rights in Spain

Spain's parliament is about to pass a law granting great apes the right to life and freedom. I wonder if the rest of Europe will follow suit. As a member of the EU, I wonder what effect this will have on Europe as a whole.

All of this is part of the Great Ape Project. Here it what it is:

1. The Right to Life
The lives of members of the community of equals are to be protected. Members of the community of equals may not be killed except in very strictly defined circumstances, for example, self-defense.

2. The Protection of Individual Liberty
Members of the community of equals are not to be arbitrarily deprived of their liberty; if they should be imprisoned without due legal process, they have the right to immediate release. The detention of those who havenot been convicted of any crime, or of those who are not criminally liable, should be allowed only where it can be shown to be for their own good, or necessary to protect the public from a member of the community who wouldclearly be a danger to others if at liberty. In such cases, members of the community of equals must have the right to appeal, either directly or, if they lack the relevant capacity, through an advocate, to a judicial tribunal.

3. The Prohibition of Torture
The deliberate infliction of severe pain on a member of the community of equals, either wantonly or for an alleged benefit to others, is regarded as torture, and is wrong.

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