European Court agrees to hear chimp's plea for human rights

(saw title and thought this was a bush plea)

more: http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23486466-details/European+Court+agrees+to+hear+chimp's+plea+for+human+rights/article.do

European Court agrees to hear chimp's plea for human rights
Last updated at 21:00pm on 21.05.08

His name is Matthew, he is 26 years old, and his supporters hope to take his case to the European Court of Human Rights.

But he won't be able to give evidence on his own behalf - since he is a chimpanzee. Animal rights activists led by British teacher Paula Stibbe are fighting to have Matthew legally declared a 'person' so she can be appointed as his guardian if the bankrupt animal sanctuary where he lives in Vienna is forced to close.

An anonymous businessman has offered a substantial amount to cover his care, but under Austrian law only humans are entitled to have guardians.

. . . there's a chimp who ought to have a guardian.

Chimpanzees deserve better than that.

When we as a species finally realize the sentient nature of the other animals on this planet and start treating them with the respect they are due we will take a large step forward to evolving past the inhumane monsters we are today. Our ability as a species to brutally slaughter millions of sentient beings daily in order to eat them and to completely ignore the suffering and terror we wreak on these animals enables us to commit horrific acts of brutality on our own species and justify it as "national security" when it is in reality just a power elite con to keep the sheeple under control and profiteer on fear.

It's time to evolve past carnivorism and militarism as acceptable behaviors.

These statements will bring the militant carnivores out of the woodwork, I realize, because there is no one so militant as defensive carnivores, but I stand by my statements and beliefs.

I've been vegan since 1975 and I don't wear leather, so don't trot those attacks out on me.

BTW if we stopped breeding animals to eat, the more efficient usage of the grain would enable us to feed the world's population with a surplus and would cut pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by more than 20% immediately, not to mention solving a majority of the chronic health issues that cost us billions of dollars to treat.

I know carnivores refuse to accept this, but it's the truth.

And that doesn't even get into the ethical issues surrounding our treatment of our fellow species on this planet.

of Criminal Justice, he can look forward to putting forth his best possible defense.

and paula stibbe -- you are a hero.

edit because matthew can spell better than me.