Doc. 9695

11 February 2003

Status of animals in the 21^st century society

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Hancock and others

1.       During the last few years, in some of our member states, the population was witnessing with alarm the slaughter of its herds of domestic animals. The mass graves of burning carcasses illustrated the brutal and unacceptable practice of treating animals as objects, in its worst form.

2.       Yet recent scientific discoveries give reason to believe that animals are closer to humans than we might think; the dividing line between humans and animals as objects is becoming blurred.

3.       This is particularly true of primates. For example, the large monkeys (chimpanzees, bonobos, etc) have intelligence, a sense of morals and a social conscience. In particular in New Zealand and in USA to prevent their dying out, people are fighting to grant them basic rights such as the right to life and the right to protection against cruel treatment and dangerous scientific or medical experiments.

4.       Other animals at a lesser stage of evolution also deserve our respect and protection: animals used to assist human beings (guide dogs, dogs or monkeys which help people with motor disabilities, dolphins and their role of "awakening" autistic children, etc.) and pets which brighten family life or a solitary existence.

5.       Few States revised their legislation and granted animals the status of living beings and the rights inherent in that status. Germany which enshrined animals' rights in its Constitution is worth to be mentioned. No member States or very few Council of Europe members ratified the small number of Conventions related to the transportation of animals, the protection of animals kept for farming purposes or for slaughter, the protection of pet animals etc. The European Parliament approved recently a Europe-wide ban on the use of animals to test cosmetic products - which will be in force only in 2009.

6.       The Parliamentary Assembly, through its debates and discussions, must contribute to the renunciation of the obsolete and unhealthy concept of animals as objects; for that purpose it proposes to entrust the Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee to present a report drafted in co-operation with the NGO concerned.

Signed (see overleaf)

Signed : ¹

Hancock, United Kingdom, LDR

Brînzan, Romania, SOC

Bušić, Croatia, EPP

Čekuolis, Lithuania, LDR

Christodoulides, Cyprus, UEL

Danieli, Italy, LDR

Dees, Netherlands, LDR

McCafferty, United Kingdom, SOC

Mooney, Ireland, LDR

Zwerver, Netherlands, SOC

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group