UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF THE ANIMAL RIGHTS

Preamble

• Considering that all living beings possess natural rights
• Considering that the contempt for, and even the simple ignorance of, these rights cause serious damage to Nature and lead men to commit crimes against animals
• Considering that the coexistance of species implies a recognition by the human species of the right of other animal species to live
• Considering that genocides are committed by men and others are likely to take place in the future
• Considering that the respect of animals by humans is inseparable from the respect of men for each other
• Considering that education must teach to observe, understand, respect and love animals since infancy

It is hereby proclaimed

Article 1
All animals are born to life equal and have equal rights to exist.

Article 2
a) All animals have the right to be respected
b) Man, as an animal species, cannot claim the right to exterminate other animals or to exploit them in violation of this right. It is his duty to use his knowledge for the welfare of animals.
c) Every animal has the right to the consideration, the care and the protection of man.

Article 3
a) No animal must be subjected to ill-treatment or cruel acts.
b) If it is necessary to kill an animal, it must be instantaneous, painless and cause no apprehension.

Article 4
a) Wild animals have the right to live and reproduce in freedom in their own natural environment
b) Any deprivation of freedom, even for educational purposes, is a violation of this right.

Article 5
a) Any animal which belongs to a species that usually lives in man's environment has the right to
live and to grow in accordance to the rythms and in the conditions of life and freedom which are
peculiar to its species.
b) Any modification of such rythms and of these conditions imposed by man for commercial aims
is a violation of this right.

Article 6
a) Any animal that man choses as companion has the right to a lifetime in conformity with its natural longevity.
b) The abandonment of an animal is a cruel and degrading act.

Article 7
Any working animal has the right to reasonable time limits according to the intesity of work, to proper maintenance, food and rest.

Article 8
a) Experiments on animals entailing physical or psychological suffering violate the rights of animals.
b) Replacement methods must be developed and systematically implemented.

Article 9
If an animal is bred for human consumption it must be fed, lodged, transported and killed without causing it to suffer pain or apprehension.

Article 10
a) No animal must be used for the entertainment of man.
b) The exhibitions of animals and the shows that use animals are incompatible with the animal's dignity.

Article 11
Any act unnecessarily involving the death of an animal and any decision leading to such an act, constitute a crime against life.

Article 12
a) Any act compromising the survival of a wild species and any decision leading to such an act are tantamount to genocide, that is to say, a crime against the species.
b) Pollution and destruction of biotopes are acts of genocide.

Article 13
a) A dead animal must be treated with respect.
b) The scenes of violence on animals must be forbidden in television and cinemas unless their aim is that of showing a violation of the animal rights.

Article 14
a) The protection and safety of animals must be represented at the level of Governmental organizations.
b) The rights of animals must be protected by the law as the human rights.