Final text adopted by the
International League for Animal Rights and affiliated national leagues on
the occasion of the Third International Meeting on the Rights of Animals
(London 21-23 September, 1977). The Declaration, proclaimed on 15 October
1978 by the International League, affiliated leagues, associations and
individuals who wish to be associated with it, will be submitted to the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO),
and then to the United Nations Organization (UNO).
P R E A M B L E
Whereas all
animals have rights;
Whereas disregard and contempt
for the rights of animals have resulted and continue to result in crimes
by man against nature and against animals;
Whereas recognition by the
human species of the right to existence of other animal species is the
foundation of the co-existence of species throughout the animal world;
Whereas genocide has been
perpetrated by man on animals and the threat of genocide continues;
Whereas respect for animals is
linked to the respect of man for men;
Whereas from childhood man
should be taught to observe, understand, respect and love animals;
IT IS HEREBY PROCLAIMED:
Article 1
· All
animals are born with an equal claim on life and the same rights to
existence.
Article 2
· All
animals are entitled to respect.
· Man
as an animal species shall not arrogate to himself the right to
exterminate or inhumanely exploit other animals. It is his duty to use his
knowledge for the welfare of animals.
· All
animals have the right to the attention, care and protection of man.
Article 3
· No
animal shall be ill-treated or shall be subject to cruel acts.
· If
an animal has to be killed, this must be instantaneous and without
distress.
Article 4
· All
wild animals have the right to liberty in their natural environment,
whether land, air or water, and should be allowed to procreate.
· Deprivation
of freedom, even for educational purposes, is an infringement of this
right.
Article 5
· Animals
of species living traditionally in a human environment have the right to
live and grow at the rhythm and under the conditions of life and freedom
peculiar to their species.
· Any
interference by man with this rhythm or these conditions for purposes of
gain is an infringement of this right.
Article 6
· All
companion animals have the right to complete their natural life span.
· Abandonment
of an animal is a cruel and degrading act.
Article 7
· All
working animals are entitled to a reasonable limitation of the duration
and intensity of their work, to the necessary nourishment, and to rest.
Article 8
· Animal
experimentation involving physical or psychological suffering is
incompatible with the rights of animals whether it be for scientific,
medical, commercial, or any other form of research.
· Replacement
methods must be used and developed.
Article 9
· Where
animals are used in the food industry, they shall be reared, transported,
lairaged and killed without the infliction of suffering.
Article 10
· No
animal shall be exploited for the amusement of man.
· Exhibitions
and spectacles involving animals are incompatible with their dignity.
Article 11
· Any
act involving the wanton killing of an animal is biocide, that is, a crime
against life.
Article 12
· Any
act involving mass killing of wild animals is genocide, that is, a crime
against the species.
· Pollution
or destruction of the natural environment leads to genocide.
Article 13
· Dead
animals shall be treated with respect.
· Scenes
of violence involving animals shall be banned from cinema and television,
except for humane education.
Article 14
· Representatives
of movements that defend animal rights should have an effective voice at
all levels of government.
· The
rights of animals, like human rights, should enjoy the protection of law.
Philosophy
