THE DECLARATION OF ANIMAL RIGHTS

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Article 1)

All animals are born equal before life.

All animals are equal.

All animals have the same natural right to exist, within a natural balance.



Article 2)

All animals have the right to be treated with respect.

Human beings don’t have the right to eliminate animals.

They don’t have the right to use animals for their own interests.

Human beings use their knowledge and means to make animals’ lives better.

All animals need to be protected and taken care of in a humane manner.



Article 3)

Animals cannot be treated badly and cruelly.



Article 4)

Wild animals live, where their mother and fathers, and grandmother and grandfathers were born and have lived.

That land, water and sky belong to those animals.

They are their private areas.

Human beings cannot damage wild animals’ natural habitat for their own interests.

Wild animals have the right to freely reproduce.

They cannot be deprived of their freedoms, even for education purposes.

Human beings don’t necessarily have to hunt and fish in order to survive.



Article 5)

Some animals live around or close to people.

People treat these animals true to the nature of their species.

A bird is not prevented from flying, a fish is not prevented from swimming, a rabbit is not prevented from running, a worm is not prevented from crawling.

Animals living around human beings have the right to live true to the nature of their species and reproduce freely.





Article 6)

Human beings treat their pets well.

They take care of them, they feed them.

They value their cats, dogs, chicken, donkeys, sheep, goats, cows, camels, partridges, canary birds, turtles, aquarium fish.

People don’t prevent their pets from living true to their natures.

They don’t make them suffer and cause their premature death.

They don’t coldheartedly abandon them.



Article 7)

All working animals such as horses, donkeys, camels, elephants are put to work without being oppressed.

Their working hours and workload are limited.

It is important that working animals preserve their health and strength.

The people that make them work have to pay attention to their right to be fed and to rest.



Article 8)

Experiments that physically and psychologically hurt animals are prohibited.

Medical experiments made on animals should not cause animals to suffer.

The animal is not scared or hurt during the experiment.



Article 9)

Some animals are specially raised for people’s nutrition.

Even if animals are raised for people’s nutrition, they have the right to be taken good care of and kept in healthy conditions.

Animals raised for people’s nutrition should not suffer.



Article 10)

Animals cannot be used for people’s entertainment.

Displaying animals is degrading.

Animals are beings worthy of dignity and respect.

Exhibitions, shows, movies that include animals should not include violence.

They must not be degrading towards animals.



Article 11)

Animals’ right to life is sacred.

Killing an animal without being obliged to so is a crime against nature, life and the world.



Article 12)

Killing lots of animals simultaneously and destroying their eggs is called genocide.

Thus, safaris and hunting parties are defined as important crimes against animals.



Article 13)

The death of Animals must be treated with respect.

Showing scenes of violence that include animals’ deaths on TV or in movies is prohibited.



Article 14)

States are obliged to recognize and defend animal rights, as well as provide necessary services.

Animal rights are protected by law, just like human rights.

At schools and other education institutions, children are taught that animals share the same world with human beings.

They are taught that human beings and animals are friends.

They are taught that just as we should love animals, we should understand them.

They are taught that respecting animals and animal rights is to respect human beings and life.





The Declaration of Animal Rights – October 15, 1978

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