Germany moves to enshrine rights for animals

uk times ^ | 6.22.2 | From Roger Boyes in Berlin

[InvisibleChurch]

GERMANY became the first European Union country to protect animal rights in its Constitution yesterday. The move has alarmed scientists, hunters and the country’s Muslims, who believe that they may be banned from ritual slaughter of animals.

The Bundesrat, the upper House of Parliament, gave overwhelming support to a law to amend the Constitution to make it a duty of the State to protect not only human life, but also that of animals. Inspired by the Greens, the law is the culmination of a ten-year political struggle.

Animal rights have a long history in Germany; even Nazi scholars were eager to upgrade their status. The country has a animal protection law, which was invoked this week by an animal rights group trying to ban a television series because the chimpanzee star had been smacked by its trainer.

The constitutional amendment, however, will severely affect future laws. Politicians promised that there would be no limits on animal testing for important medical research, but scientists are uneasy. Testing for cosmetics and for non-prescription drugs will come under immediate scrutiny.

The most delicate implication of the new ruling is for ethnic minority communities. Turkish residents of Berlin have often been criticised for their ritual slaughter of sheep on balconies. Now animal protection groups say that the practice should be deemed illegal under the amendment. The constitutional court allowed such slaughtering earlier this year, however, because of the constitutional right of people to practise their own religion.

The battle comes at a time when many argue that Muslims should try to adapt to German traditions. Muslim clerics claim that a slaughter ban would impose Christian values on non-Christians.

Renate Künast, the Agriculture Minister, said the change was just the start. She has campaigned against mass food production and the transport of live animals across Europe.

not for commercial use

[InvisibleChurch]

INRI

[SAJ]

Re: animals' rights.

You have a right to a humane death if you are tasty.

You have a right to be properly cooked, or, in the case of sushi, partially oxidised by marination.

Animal 'rights' 'activists' have a right to be ridiculed, and, should they become violent, a right to be summarily executed, then skinned and barbecued, if they should so far forget themselves as to interfere in any person's lawful business, or damage or confiscate any person's property.

[rimmont]

"Turkish residents of Berlin have often been criticised for their ritual slaughter of sheep on balconies."
"The constitutional court allowed such slaughtering earlier this year, however, because of the constitutional right of people to practise their own religion."

-And to be a total barbarian, apparently.
Ritual slaughter of sheep on balconies? Jeez!!

[rimmont]

It's interesting to note that Hitler was also a believer in animal rights, that is why he was a vegetarian.

[Jagdgewehr]

Renate Künast, the Agriculture Minister, said the change was just the start. She has campaigned against mass food production and the transport of live animals across Europe.

??????????

An Agriculture Minister who wants to virtually put an end to the livestock industry half of agriculture?

[Maceman]

Politicians promised that there would be no limits on animal testing for important medical research, but scientists are uneasy.

Well, as long as they promised, I guess they can be trusted.

[Caipirabob]

The point of the whole movement being to justify treating human beings like animals...

[virgil]

It's interesting to note that Hitler was also a believer in animal rights, that is why he was a vegetarian

And Hitler was the greatest animal of them all.