Connecticut Post, Saturday, May 5, 2007
]VIENNA, Austria--In some ways, Hiasl is like any other Viennese: He indulges a weakness for pastry, likes to paint and enjoys chilling out watching TV.
But he doesn't care for coffee, and he isn't actually a person--at least not yet. In a case that could set a global legal precedent for granting basic rights to apes, animal rights advocates are seeking to get the 26-year old male chimpanzee legally declared a "person."
Hiasl's supporters argue he needs that status to become a legal entity that can receive donations and get a guardian to look out for his interests.
"Our main argument is that Hiasl is a person and has baic legal rights," said Eberhart Theuer, a lawyer leading the challenge on behalf of the Association Against Animal Factories, a Vienna animal rights group. "We mean the right to life, the right ot not be tortured, the right to freedom under certain conditions," Theuer said.
"We're not talking about the right vote here."
The campaign began after the animal sanctuary where Hiasl and another chimp, Rosi, have lived or twenty five years went bankrupt.
Activists want to ensure the apes don't wind up homeless if the shelter closes. Both have already suffered: They were captured as babies in Sierra Leone in 1982 and smuggled in a crate to Austria for use in pharmaceutical experiments. Customs officers intercepted the shipment and turned the chimps over to the shelter.
Their food and veterinary bills run about $6800 a month. Donors have offered to help, but there's a catch: Under Austrian law, only a person can receive personal donations."
But he doesn't care for coffee, and he isn't actually a person--at least not yet. In a case that could set a global legal precedent for granting basic rights to apes, animal rights advocates are seeking to get the 26-year old male chimpanzee legally declared a "person."
Hiasl's supporters argue he needs that status to become a legal entity that can receive donations and get a guardian to look out for his interests.
"Our main argument is that Hiasl is a person and has baic legal rights," said Eberhart Theuer, a lawyer leading the challenge on behalf of the Association Against Animal Factories, a Vienna animal rights group. "We mean the right to life, the right ot not be tortured, the right to freedom under certain conditions," Theuer said.
"We're not talking about the right vote here."
The campaign began after the animal sanctuary where Hiasl and another chimp, Rosi, have lived or twenty five years went bankrupt.
Activists want to ensure the apes don't wind up homeless if the shelter closes. Both have already suffered: They were captured as babies in Sierra Leone in 1982 and smuggled in a crate to Austria for use in pharmaceutical experiments. Customs officers intercepted the shipment and turned the chimps over to the shelter.
Their food and veterinary bills run about $6800 a month. Donors have offered to help, but there's a catch: Under Austrian law, only a person can receive personal donations."
The article is longer, but the tail end of it isn't as important as the beginning. It just states Spain is also going through similar issues, and that this would be the first time an the species barrier would be crossed for equality. They also gave quotes from those who worked closely with Hiasl. Many of them said he really is quite person-like, taking part in activities the average human does such as indulging in sweets, drawing, and putting on clothing. At least, that is what his trainer said.
Also, emphasis added on my part.
I think this is a good article to demonstrate it isn't always about bringing to full rights but instead, protection. If you disagree, I think it's a cute article regardless.
