Last Friday, the University of Nice and the Animal Rights Association jointly organized a day of symposium and reflection on the issue of animal rights. A seemingly innocuous theme but one that strongly impacts societal debate.
On this theme, seemingly innocuous but in reality representing multiple interests, the very young Association for the Development of Animal Law succeeded in making the University of Nice a place for reflection on animals.
It enabled this day of listening, debate, and proposals with speakers and attendees of very high quality: lawyers, young lawyers, doctoral students from all disciplines, and defenders of the animal cause.
It succeeded in associating with these works, conducted in the Law Faculty, the faculties of Humanities and Sciences. It achieved a fusion between academics and activists to advance the animal cause. It highlighted the fundamental difference between environmental law and animal law.
It was thus very clearly specified that the former is based on the preservation of the species while the latter takes as its primary principle the consideration of the individual sensitivity and suffering of the animal.
What is the roadmap for the 2015 symposium?
For Christian Razeau, president of the Animal Collective 06, : “We must participate in improving the legal status of the animal, which should be removed as quickly as possible from the category of ‘things’ and ‘goods’ and thus find its place as a sentient being.”
How to achieve this if not by completing or adding certain articles primarily to the civil code. In a second phase, and to facilitate the defense of the animal, provide the means to write a well-individualized animal code.
This would gather all the texts of French law, as well as international law and conventions, which for now are scattered across multiple codes. This would allow easier navigation for legal professionals and associations to find these scattered texts.
Then, all irrational derogations, whether based on cultural or religious traditions, should be denounced and fought until their elimination.
Christian Razeau adds: “We must also participate in bringing together the various associations that all contribute to improving the welfare of the animal, whether domestic, farmed, or wild.”
Finally, recognize vegetarianism, veganism, and plant-based diets as contributing to improving human health, reducing animal suffering, and good planetary resource management.”
