primate rights

Reuters (25 June 2008) has reported that the Spanish parliament will soon grant legal rights to the great apes (gorilla, chimpanzees and orang utans) in support of the Great Ape Project (GAP).

The rights sought by GAP include

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 have not 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 would clearly 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.

Quite ironic, in a country that tortures bulls for sport. Reminiscent of George Orwell's Animal Farm, which may be a little out of context, some animals are more equal than others.

I can understand the decision, after all, we share some 99 per cent of the same genetic material as the great apes.

No animal should be subject to deliberate pain and suffering, even if bred and raised for food.

There is bound to be a strong reaction from the Catholic Church about apes having more rights than unborn children.

*************
My laziness (and recovery from some bug) continued.