In recent years, the discussion surrounding Human Rights has received new attention by attempts to expand the protections and responsibilities to non-humans.
On February 13, 2022, the electorate in the Swiss city-canton of Basel will vote on whether or not to give non-human primates the same “right to life” and “the right to physical and mental integrity” as people. This vote marks the first time voters anywhere will vote on the fundamental rights of non-humans animals. As early as 2017, Mount Taranaki and the Whanganui river in New Zealand as well as the Ganges and Yamuna rivers in India were given legal personhood.
There are many issues regarding Human Rights especially concerning their definition and their application: what are human rights and to whom do they apply? How should they be implemented? The claims regarding the universality of human rights have raised also questions, whether these so-called ‘basic’ and ‘fundamental’ entitlements could and should be extended to non-humans such as animals and environments. After all, there is already longstanding legal personhood for corporations. This development highlights how people and politicians engage with rights towards non-human entities.
While some believe non-humans should be afforded so-called human rights due to cultural, environmental, or ethical preservation, others believe the issue of human rights should only (or first and foremost) extend to human beings. Should non-humans have the same rights as humans? Should a line be drawn between human rights and non-human rights? If so, where?
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