NP - Supreme Court Issues Show Cause Order on Monkey Export

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*Supreme Court Issues Show Cause Order on Monkey Export*

 

*Maneka Gandhi appeals to Nepal government*

 

*Kathmandu – 22-01-09 –* The Supreme Court today issued a show cause order

to challenge assumed export of rhesus monkeys to the USA. The government and

breeders are asked to explain their positions. Animal rights groups call for

an immediate halt of the breeding and export of monkeys for biomedical

research as it is 'illegal', 'inhumane' and 'unethical'.

 

Animal rights campaigners filed a Public Interest Litigation against the

government, the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, the Department of

National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, as well as the US-backed companies

who received a license to breed rhesus monkeys for biomedical research.

 

The petitioners argue that Nepalese laws do not support the export of

monkeys. The Muluki Ain promotes the humane treatment of all living beings.

The Wildlife Breeding Act –which introduced the breeding of rhesus monkeys

in 2060/2003- has no legal base as it was passed as a budgetary declaration

during the royal regime.

 

Both the National Parks Act 1973 and the Breeding Policy do not facilitate

the export of live monkeys. Also, the government failed to monitor the

breeding facilities, as a result of which there is no clarity on the status

of the monkeys.

 

The petitioners also say they are shocked by the high death rate (around

20%) among rhesus monkeys destined for the US at a Lele breeding centre.

According to a 1992 UK research 75% of lab monkeys are killed in research

centres across the world.

 

The breeders claim the monkeys will be used in AIDS research. However the

petition includes a letter from the US Physicians Committee for Responsible

Medicine explaining that the ongoing use of monkeys in AIDS research is

'contrary to available scientific evidence'.

 

Animal rights campaigner and member of Indian Parliament Maneka Gandhi in a

letter appeals to the Nepal government to ban the breeding and export of

monkeys. " As a person who is deeply respectful of your country's traditions

and is a true well wisher, I would urge you to put right this terrible

mistake. I speak for thousands of people who have been equally appalled " ,

writes Gandhi.

 

The Indian MP reminds the government that India in 1977 banned biomedical

research on monkeys. " It brought international acclaim to us. I would

request you to show the enlightenment of your government by standing firm on

your promise not to export monkeys, " notes Gandhi who claims monkeys will be

euthanized upon arrival in the US when carrying the slightest infection.

 

According to Gandhi the breeding and selling of monkeys 'is an unethical and

lucrative business' and a bad deal for Nepal: " This company will earn

thousands of dollars which will be kept overseas for them. In return Nepal

will lose monkeys that are extremely important for the propagation of so

many plants. "

 

According to the Indian campaigner 'India and Nepal have traditionally been

known for their respect for all creatures'. " This sudden and mysterious

decision to give a license to one company to send our monkeys to a painful

and prolonged death is not in keeping with our cultures. It brings shame to

a government to try and earn money through the exploitative suffering of

species that are so much like us. "

 

This export of monkeys has led to protests all over the world. In July 2008

some 100.000 protest letters were send to the government. Demonstrations

have been held in Kathmandu and almost all European capitals as well as in

India, Russia and the USA and at United Nations offices. Some groups have

even gone as far as calling for a tourism ban for Nepal.

 

Ironically the government on June 20, 2008, decided *not* to export monkeys.

This was confirmed by former Director General Dr Annapurna Das of the

Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation in a letter addressed

to Swiss animal rights groups. In the letter he notes that the Wildlife

Breeding Policy 'does not include any clause for the export of rhesus

monkeys in order to use in biomedical research'.[1]<#11eff0036a8b1796__ftn1>.

Lately however interviews with government officials and breeders have

suggested that 25 rhesus monkeys will be exported to the US soon.

 

*For more information:*

 

Lawyer Bijay Kumar Singh, 98510-25677, Manoj Gautam, Roots and Shoots

Nepal, 9841-496822, Malika Nepal, SPCAN, 98510-17794.

 

Email for original documents: stopmonkeybusiness

 

*Also go to:*

 

Animal Welfare Network Nepal – www.awnnepal.blogspot.com

 

Stop Monkey Business Campaign – www.stopmonkeybusiness.org

 

 

 

* *

 

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[1] <#11eff0036a8b1796__ftnref1> The letter can be read at

http://www.gatewaytohell.net/images/demos/2008/Rhesus_Monkey_Nepal.jpg

 

 

 

 

--

Stop Monkey Business Campaign

www.stopmonkeybusiness.org

stopmonkeybusiness

 

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