Recognition of
the Rights of Animals and Nature
in the Federation of Earth
Recognizing that, in the words of Sir Muhammad Zafrulla Khan, the human being must be a source of bliss for every being; recognizing also that the human being is not the only source of bliss;
Recognizing that, in the words of Sri Krishna, all are one–and that, in the words of Albert Schweitzer, the way back to civilization lies through the reverence for life;
Aware, as stated in the Preamble to the Constitution for the Federation of Earth, of the interdependence of people, nations and all life–and aware that man’s abuse of science and technology has brought humanity also to the brink of ecological catastrophe;
Recognizing that, as described in the Global 2000 Report to the President of the United States, the destruction of the natural world has progressed to an advanced stage, to a stage where, many authorities agree, within 30 to 50 years perhaps 50% or more of the world’s animal species will have become extinct–
unless the prevalent attitude of humanity toward the status of animals changes radically;
Recognizing that, at least since the time of Darwin, it has been scientifically established that humankind shares in significant degree a common origin with the rest of the natural world and especially with its animal species;
Recognizing that, with few exceptions, under present law the inhumane treatment of animals is common practice in scientific laboratories, factory farms, and at the hands of hunters and trappers–and that present national basic laws do little to implement an ethic of the protection of nature;
Recognizing that we need to be concerned not only with the future of humanity, but also, under the Constitution for the Federation of Earth, with the fate of the planet;
Recognizing, finally, that under the Call to the Provisional World Parliament, the business of the Parliament includes a concern with global environmental protection;
And as an expression of love;
THEREFORE, be it enacted by this provisional World Parliament in first session, 1982:
1. From the date of adoption of this resolution by the provisional World Parliament, in all considerations and decisions bearing upon the present conditions and future of humanity, the Earth Federation shall consider the interests of other species.
2. From the date of adoption of this resolution by the Provisional World Parliament, the following activities are strongly discouraged or prohibited:
2.1. All practices of factory farming involving animals;
2.2. Research using animals as experimental subjects, of the trapping and hunting of animals except by peoples for their own subsistence use, and not including for cash sales or trade;
2.3. Employment of animals in cruel sport;
2.4. Removal of species from native habitat, in disregard of protective standards for removals;
2.5. Production of so-called animal “products” for profit.
3. The provisional World Parliament and provisional World Government shall establish a World Environmental Protection Agency, which shall include in the scope of its responsibilities the implementation of this resolution and the supervision of the establishment of the recognition of animal rights throughout the world. (See WLA#9 summary or full text, first adopted 1987, 3rd session, revised 2004, 8th session.)
4. Until a more fully operative democratic world federation is established, the World Environmental Protection Agency is responsible to the provisional World Parliament, and to any provisional World Cabinet that is created by the provisional World Parliament. The World Environmental Protection Agency has a Board of Trustees of twenty-five members, to be appointed by the provisional World Cabinet, to be drawn from all parts of the Earth, and to include no fewer than five well-known advocates of animal rights. The Board of Trustees shall determine the organization and functioning of the World Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with the terms of this resolution and in conformance with the Constitution for the Federation of Earth, while at all times responsible to the Cabinet and Parliament. No nation may have veto powers in the decisions of the World Environmental Protection Agency.
5. At subsequent sessions of the provisional World Parliament, the Parliament will review implementation of this resolution, and will take further action as appropriate .
* * * * * * * * * *
Above adopted 6th September 1982, at Brighton, England, first session of the Provisional World Parliament. First draft was written by John Stockwell. The work was introduced by Sally Curry, delegate Member of the Parliament from Canada.
Attested:
Eugenia Almand, JD, Secretary
Provisional World Parliament