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Monday, 18 January 2010 05:47

Constitution Project Background Notes

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Background to Campaign
Animal Protection Legislation
Definitions
How to Campaign/Lobby
Research & Planning
Campaigning
Media & Publicity
Lobbying
Suggested Constitution Provision
Call for Action


Background to Campaign

There is a growing understanding in society of the importance of respect and protection for animals as an indicator of moral standards. Animal protection has become an important ethical and political question commanding major public support in many countries. Despite this, there are as yet few examples of countries that have secured even the basic requirements for humane treatment of animals in their constitutions.

Animals are sentient creatures with an intrinsic value. Action to take full and proper account of animal protection in international, national and regional constitutions and charters is long overdue. World Animal Net (WAN), the most widespread animal protection organization in the world with over 1,500 affiliated societies, has launched this project to start an international movement in favor of placing animal protection in constitutions.

Animal Protection Legislation

This call to include animal protection in constitutions is designed to raise awareness of the importance of the animal protection ethic among politicians and the public and to elevate the status of animal protection. It is also considered important in practical terms, as explained in the leaflet (under 'Why Does This Matter?'). However, inclusion of animal protection in constitutions should in no way be taken as an alternative to the introduction of well-drafted and effectively enforced animal protection legislation.

The WAN website contains a comprehensive Animal Protection Law Resource section.

Also, although this is not the specific target of the constitution project, WAN is pleased to advise on national animal protection legislation and enforcement. WAN has recently established an Advisory Council for Legislative Issues. This Council includes experts with legal or practical expertise in the field of animal protection legislation from around the world (known as 'Legislative Counselors - or LCs). The type of assistance that WAN hopes to provide with the assistance of LCs includes:

  • Review of national animal protection legislation projects.
  • Advice either general (e.g. on campaign/lobby tactics concerning the introduction of national legislation) or specific questions on animal protection legislation and enforcement.

Definitions

Sentient - capable of feeling (including suffering).
Intrinsic value - having an inherent value (i.e. they have a value and purpose that does not depend on their usefulness to man).

How to Campaign/Lobby

The more countries and regions that become involved in this project, the more strength and credibility it will gain. Animal protection groups in some countries are already campaigning for animal protection to be included in their constitution and/or charter. We hope that this information will prove useful to them, and that they will share their information and expertise to the benefit of other countries just starting this campaign.

Research & Planning

WAN information can be used as a starting point. This includes a leaflet, these background notes and accompanying information on the UN, Council of Europe, EU and national situations.

The Ligue Francaise des Droits de l'Animal (LFDA) has a useful booklet on the 'Universal Declaration of Animal Rights' that provides interesting historical insight into the fight for animal rights, including efforts to incorporate animal rights into UN activities. Address: LFDA, 39, Rue Claude Bernard, 75005 Paris, France.

The local and national situation needs to be researched before action is taken.
Firstly, consider your society's capabilities and priorities to decide whether to take part in this project. It is likely to be a long-term project and is unlikely to be simple. However, it can be done at low costs, and the potential rewards are great. Other important considerations are whether your country/region/town has a written constitution or charter (vital to the national angle of this project!).

Many societies may not have central government contacts and/or lobbying experience. In this case, consideration could be given to carrying out the campaign at local level, or through letter writing rather than personal lobbying.

Conversely, societies with good national government contacts and lobbying abilities may decide not only to carry out the project at national level, but also to lobby your government to support improvements at the United Nations, Council of Europe and/or European Union level (as applicable). It will be particularly important for countries that already have animal protection in their constitutions, and those that are sympathetic to animal protection, to promote changes at supra-national level through their governments.

Animal protection groups in countries without a written constitution may decide to take part in another way - perhaps by working at regional or town level. There may already be tools, such as a City Charter, that could form a focus for lobbying. If not, you may want to persuade your region of city to adopt an 'Animal Charter' or 'Animal Policy'. Many local governments (and cities) have adopted policies and charters in other areas, such as an 'environmental policy' or a 'Citizens' Charter' - so why not one for animals!

Animal protection groups with limited resources may decide that they want to take part in this project, but with limited involvement (for example, letter writing).

Whenever possible, World Animal Net will lend support to national campaigns/lobbying when requested.

Once a decision has been taken to go ahead with the constitution project, and the target(s) have been identified, a detailed campaign and lobby plan should be formulated. This should include:

  • Aim
  • Targets
  • Planned Actions: E.g. Campaign; Lobby
  • Timings

WAN will periodically update groups about action taken in other countries, and any progress achieved.

Campaigning

Campaign activity could include:

  • World Animal Day (4 October) coordinated action.
  • Events (candle-light vigils etc.) outside Parliament or government departments
  • Public meetings and (academic) discussion forums about animals in society

Media & Publicity

  • Prepare posters/flyers/advertisements
  • Generate media interest through campaigns
  • Write letters to newspapers and magazines etc.
  • Don't forget the need for a unique image or stunt
  • The use of celebrities can help

Lobbying

Lobbying could include:

  • Written representations (see suggested letters)
  • Meetings - at civil servant and Ministerial level
  • Forming alliances (e.g. with sympathetic Members of Parliament)
  • Placing motions and questions into Parliament (through sympathetic allies)

WAN could lobby at supra-national level (United Nations, Council of Europe and European Union), in co-operation with other European and International animal protection groups. You are asked to write in support of WAN's lobbying. Click here for some suggested letters to your national or local government, the United Nations, Council of Europe and European Union to lobby for constitutional protection for animals.

Suggested Constitution Provision(s)

Minimum Needed for Constitutional Provisions on Animal Protection:

  • Recognition that animals are sentient beings, with an intrinsic value.
  • Provisions that:
    • Require the government and the citizens at all times to consider animals with respect, and treat them with compassion.
    • Require the government to develop laws and enforcement structures so as to afford animals the highest level of protection.
    • Require the government to develop and support humane education programs to encourage respect and compassion for people, animals and the environment, and recognition of the interdependence of all living things.


Call for Action

WAN calls for animal protection societies across the world to campaign and lobby in support of these objectives.

  • Regional and city governments to introduce animal protection into their regional constitutions (and/or Charters and policies).
  • National governments to introduce animal protection into their national constitutions.
  • Members of the Council of Europe to call for the introduction of a general convention covering animal ethics, as originally proposed.
  • Members of the European Union to call upon the EU institutions to bring in measures to give practical effect to the animal welfare Protocol to the Treaty (its own 'constitutional amendment)'.
  • Members of the United Nations to call to bring forward, without delay, a draft charter for the protection of animals, and to arrange an international conference on this issue of world-wide concern.
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