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Charity No. 1014705

2010-05-24

A Declaration Of Rights For Whales And Dolphins

WDCS Press Statement: Declaration on Rights for Whales and Dolphins

Helsinki, 23rd May 2010: A two day multi-disciplinary conference held at the University of Helsinki, Finland, addressed the question of whether whales and dolphins should be considered as non-human persons and granted special status. Experts covering various disciplines ranging from behavioural science to philosophy and international law concluded that all whales and dolphins have the right to life, liberty and wellbeing.

The attendees discussed the increasing body of scientific evidence with respect to cetaceans, including emergent understanding of self-awareness, abstract thought and cultural complexity. The meeting assessed this data in the context of our current moral principles, and subsequently concluded a 'Declaration on Rights for whales and dolphins'.
 
“Recognizing that whales and dolphins, just as the non-human great apes, have a right to life and should be treated as persons is part of what we consider as moral progress” states Paola Cavalieri, co-founder of the Great Ape Project and initiator of the conference.

“Whales and Dolphins can not, and should not be seen as a resource. It is this out of date approach that allows for their continued killing, as well as polluting and destroying their natural environment. It is time we see them, and treat them, as “beyond use”” says Chris Butler-Stroud, Chief Executive of WDCS, the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.

The Declaration stands in strong opposition to the ongoing negotiations by Member States of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) who are currently considering the adoption of a proposal to lift the ban on commercial whaling at its next annual meeting in June, 2010.

The text of the “Declaration on Rights for Cetaceans: Whales and Dolphins” is now online at www.cetaceanrights.org

Names and biographies of the participants in the Helsinki Conference as well as abstracts of the presentations are also available


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