The court refused an appeal to move the chimps to a sanctuary
Image by William Warby
A New York states appeal court refused an order to release two chimpanzees to a primate sanctuary stating that they are not humans, and as such should not be given the same rights.
The case was brought forward by the Nonhuman Rights Project (NRP) and its lawyer Steven Wise who argued that caging chimpanzees was inhumane and that all chimps should be granted bodily liberty.
According to Reuters, the NRP said that “chimpanzees and humans share many behavioral, cognitive and social capabilities,” which entitled the two chimps Tommy and Kiko “habeas corpus” relief.
The court, however dismissed the appeal stating that the shared characteristics “do not translate to a chimpanzee’s capacity or ability, like humans, to bear legal duties, or to be held legally accountable for their actions.”
“While petitioner’s avowed mission is certainly laudable, the according of any fundamental legal rights to animals, including entitlement to habeas relief, is an issue better suited to the legislative process,” Justice Troy Webber wrote for the appeals court.
Undeterred by the decision, Wise said that the NRP will continue to fight for the release of the chimps.
“This is not going to change without a struggle,” Wise said in a statement. “We remain confident that Tommy’s and Kiko’s fundamental right to bodily liberty will be recognized.”
Read more here
Related articles:
Theresa May Wants Changes in Human Rights Law
{ 0 comments… add one now }