http://www.collective-evolution.com/2013/09/17/india-declares-dolphins-whales-as-non-human-persons/
The declaration states (1):
1. Every individual cetacean has the right to life.
2. No cetacean should be held in captivity or servitude; be subject to cruel treatment; or be removed from their natural environment.
3. All cetaceans have the right to freedom of movement and residence within their natural environment.
4. No cetacean is the property of any State, corporation, human group or individual.
5. Cetaceans have the right to the protection of their natural environment.
6. Cetaceans have the right not to be subject to the disruption of their cultures.
7. The rights, freedoms and norms set forth in this Declaration should be protected under international and domestic law.
2. No cetacean should be held in captivity or servitude; be subject to cruel treatment; or be removed from their natural environment.
3. All cetaceans have the right to freedom of movement and residence within their natural environment.
4. No cetacean is the property of any State, corporation, human group or individual.
5. Cetaceans have the right to the protection of their natural environment.
6. Cetaceans have the right not to be subject to the disruption of their cultures.
7. The rights, freedoms and norms set forth in this Declaration should be protected under international and domestic law.
This is incredible in so many ways. This advancement has taken much longer than it should have, and hopefully it will open the flood gates for other nations to follow suit and to do so with other animals as well?
Thoughts?
Obviously it might present problems as well. For instance what if entire aquariums are shut down completely. Think of what that might do to certain areas of America.
It’s interesting that article (4) comprises also articles (1) and (2). Article (4) suggests that the term “right to life” may be closely aligned with “having inherent value”. Once we establish (recognize) that other sentient beings have liberties, and a right to life, then it follows that such beings possess a property value separate from our valuations. Economic concerns, though relevant, are secondary to any direct or indirect violation of other sentient beings (human, animal) interests.
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