International Day Of Animal Rights

Based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), signed by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10th 1948, the UDAR seeks protection of similar rights for animals calling for an end to “exploitation or oppression in the name of science or sport, or for use as food, for commercial profit or for other human ends”.

International Animal Rights Day and the UDAR were launched on December 10th 1998, 50 years to the day after the UDHR was agreed.

The Universal Declaration of Animal Rights – that animals have a right to life free from deliberately inflicted pain, suffering, exploitation and death – has been signed by large and small organisations representing hundreds of thousands of people in: the UK, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Ireland, Israel, Mexico, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the USA.

Additionally, the following major UK animal protection organisations have signed up to the Declaration: The Vegetarian Society, Animal Aid, Animal Concern, the National Anti-Vivisection Society, VIVA!, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Europe) and Advocates for Animals.

British celebrities who have signed the declaration include: Joanna Lumley, Hayley Mills, Spike Milligan, Benjamin Zephaniah, Michael Mansfield QC, Miriam Margoyles, Uri Geller, Carol Royle, Amanda Royle, David Shepherd OBE.

Protests on December 10th are most likely to be focused on vivisection animal suppliers, laboratories and fur and intensive method farms.

Filed Under: Animal & Plant Life