(CN) Animal rights on the agenda in China

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http://vod.cctv.com/html/media/NewsHour/2009/06/NewsHour_300_20090628_2.shtml

 

http://www.cctv.com/program/newshour/20090628/102405.shtml

 

China has come out with a draft of the country's first law on animal

protection. For the first time in Chinese legislation, criminal punishment

for animal cruelty is being proposed.

 

The proposed draft clearly delineates how animals should be raised,

transported, and slaughtered in a humane way.

 

It also calls for penalties and criminal punishment for animal abuse and

cruelty.

 

The draft law covers wildlife, farm and companion animals.

 

Legal experts worked on the draft for seven months. Dr. Chang Jiwen, of the

Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, led the team.

 

Dr. Chang Jiwen, director of Social Law Research Department of CASS, said,

" Our motivations for drafting this law is to protect animals, while at the

same time protecting the sensibilities and interests of human beings. We

should treat animals humanely. But that doesn't mean we cannot make use of

them. "

 

Currently in China, only animals on the endangered species list are

protected. And no existing law addresses animal welfare systematically.

 

A comprehensive animal protection law is considered imperative as cases of

animal abuse are on the rise.

 

Last month at least 30 thousand dogs were culled in Hanzhong, Shaanxi

province, following a rabies outbreak which caused 12 death.

 

The cull has triggered ire and harsh criticism from the general public.

 

An expert from the International Fund for Animal Welfare welcomes the move

for legislation

 

Hua Ning, Program manager of IFAW China, said, " There will still be a period

of time before this proposal enters a formal legislation process and is

eventually adopted. No matter how long the process is, or whether this

proposal will be accepted at all, the move itself will have active impact on

animal protection in China. "

 

The draft law has also drawn widespread public attention.

 

A recent survey carried out by Internet portal sina-dot-com shows 89 percent

of more than 63 thousand people surveyed support the legislation. They

believe it will help raise awareness of protecting animals.

 

A Beijing resident said, " You can choose to raise or not to raise a pet. But

you should not abuse them. Animals are friends of human beings. "

 

" It's a question of being civilized. People, whether in developed or

developing countries, should be civilized enough to treat animals humanely. "

 

The draft law will be posted on the Internet to solicit public opinion in

August and submitted to the National People's Congress by the end of the

year.

 

The draft must go through the State Council and receive three readings at

the NPC Standing Committee before being adopted as law.

 

If adopted, the concept of animal welfare will become part of the law in

China.

 

Some say a country's level of civilization can be judged by how it treats

animals. Fair and humane treatment of animals not only shows respect for

life, it is also in line with the interests of human beings. As awareness of

animal rights rises in China, the country's goal of building a harmonious

society will also get a boost.