| Rights of Apes | | | | animals is already given by the cruelty to animals acts |
| "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men | | | | in force in most places. This right for Humans is |
| are created equal, that they are endowed by their | | | | included in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights |
| Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among | | | | which was pushed through the United Nations by one |
| these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." | | | | of history's greatest people, Eleanor Roosevelt. |
| This quotation is from the Declaration of Independence | | | | However, I suggest extending this right for apes a little |
| of the United States of America. The word used is | | | | more. Just as it is illegal to subject Humans to scientific |
| 'Men' I take this to mean all Humans. Naturally, the | | | | experiments that are cruel, I think Apes should also |
| writers of the famous document were not including | | | | have this right. |
| animals. I would like to discus what rights should be | | | | The Right to Life is not given to all animals. For |
| given to Apes. They are not Human, but clearly are | | | | example, some people eat meat. It is a natural thing to |
| intelligent, self aware animals. They can pass the mirror | | | | do. Humans are omnivores. This normally involves killing |
| self awareness test. If an ape sees itself in a mirror, it | | | | animals. Most people accept this. However, I think that |
| soon works out that it is seeing itself. Few animals can | | | | Apes should also have the Right to Life. In some |
| do this. For example, if a monkey is shown a mirror, it | | | | places, Humans catch, kill and eat Apes. Ape meat is |
| reacts as if it has seen another monkey. Similarly, if a | | | | sold as 'Bush meat'. (This is not a reference to the |
| Siamese Fighting Fish is shown a mirror, it displays as a | | | | 43rd President.) I regard this as being very close to |
| preparation to fight its own reflection. | | | | cannibalism. To stop this it would be necessary to |
| Apes and Humans can recognize themselves. | | | | replace 'Bush meat' with some other food. |
| I am not suggesting that all Human rights be given to | | | | The right to Liberty is not as straight forward, but at |
| Apes although some people have seriously suggested | | | | least we can give Apes in captivity the right to good |
| this. I think that animals as well as Humans should have | | | | treatment, so, even in Zoos, they can exercise their |
| the right to not be deliberately tortured. This right for | | | | 'Right to the Pursuit of Happiness' in their own way. |