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G. Segantini - The two mothers
- Manifesto for interspecies ethics -
(February 1th, 2002)
The following Manifesto, developped by the Aspecies Ethics Working Group (A.E.W.G.), is being proposed as a replacement to the 1978 "Universal Declaration of Animal Rights" (U.D.A.R.). The Manifesto draws its inspiration from the Sept. '99 "Charta 2000" issued by the L.I.D.A. (Italian League for Animal Rights) and imbues the "Charta" with greater and more profound ethical and social meaning.
Human and non-human animals, in so far as they are sentient - i.e. conscious and sensitive beings - have equal rights to life, to freedom, to respect, to well-being, and to freedom from discrimination within the requirements of the species to which they belong.
Humans - like all sentient beings recognized as being potential moral agents - are to respect the above-mentioned rights, renouncing anthropocentric and speciesist ideologies.
In the framework of such a relationship, foods or any other products derived from other species, are to be obtained without causing death, suffering, biological alterations, or compromising any ethological need; and wherever possible, they are to be replaced by products of vegetable or inorganic origin.
To kill or to make individuals of other species suffer (e.g. subject them to forced labour, use them in violent activities, shows or festivals, or breed them in an unnatural way) as well as to experiment on healthy individuals in the interest of other species and/or other individuals; to cause them physical or psychological harm; to imprison individuals of naturally autonomous species or to damage their natural habitat; or to use excesses in self-defence, is a violation of the above-mentioned rights and is to be considered a crime.
Scientific research is to be subject to strict controls to ensure adherence to the above mentioned principles. The Precautionary principle is also to be respected with regard to other species.
Last reviewed: 20/02/2003.
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