The Declaration is now open for members of the public to sign (go to www.cetaceanrights.org).
Experts agree that "whales have a right to life"
Helsinki, 23rd May 2010: A two day multi-disciplinary conference held at the University of Helsinki, Finland, addressed the question of whether whales and dolphins should be considered as non-human persons and granted special status. Experts covering various disciplines ranging from behavioural science to philosophy and international law concluded that all whales and dolphins have the right to life, liberty and wellbeing.
The attendees discussed the increasing body of scientific evidence with respect to cetaceans, including emergent understanding of self-awareness, abstract thought and cultural complexity. The meeting assessed this data in the context of our current moral principles, and subsequently concluded a "Declaration on the Rights for whales and dolphins".
"Recognizing that whales and dolphins, just as the non-human great apes, have a right to life and should be treated as persons is part of what we consider as moral progress" states Paola Cavalieri, co-founder of the Great Ape Project and initiator of the conference.
"Whales and Dolphins can not, and should not be seen as a resource. It is this out of date approach that allows for their continued killing, as well as polluting and destroying their natural environment. It is time we see them, and treat them, as 'beyond use'" says Chris Butler-Stroud, Chief Executive of WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.
The Declaration stands in strong opposition to the ongoing negotiations by Member States of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) who are currently considering the adoption of a proposal to lift the ban on commercial whaling at its next annual meeting in June, 2010.
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The text of the "Declaration on Rights for Cetaceans: Whales and Dolphins" is annexed to this release.
Names and biographies of the participants in the Helsinki Conference as well as abstracts of the presentations can be found at www.cetaceanrights.org.
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Declaration of Rights for Cetaceans: Whales and Dolphins
Based on the principle of the equal treatment of all persons; recognizing that scientific research gives us deeper insights into the complexities of cetacean minds, societies and cultures; noting that the progressive development of international law manifests a growing sense of entitlement by cetaceans; we affirm that all cetaceans as persons have the right to life, liberty and wellbeing.
We believe that:
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.
8. Cetaceans are entitled to an international order in which these
rights, freedoms and norms can be fully realized.
9. No State, corporation, human group or individual should engage
in any activity that undermines these rights, freedoms and norms.
10. Nothing in this Declaration shall prevent a State from enacting
stricter provisions for the protection of cetacean rights.
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The New York Whale and Dolphin Action League
PO Box 273, Tuckahoe, NY 10707 USA
Phone: 914-793-9186
Email: ny4whales@optonline.net
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A Project of Cetacean Society International
URL for this page: http://ny4whales.org/news20100701.html