NP: Campaigners call for legal protection of animals

[Guest guest]

*Press release*

 

*Campaigners call for legal protection of animals***

 

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*Kathmandu, Feb 10th 2010 – *The* *Animal Welfare Network Nepal calls for

better protection of animals under the new constitution and laws of Nepal.

The network of animal welfare organizations today organized a workshop with

CA members called “Animals and the Law”. All 601 government members received

an information kit about the subject. **

 

 

 

According to the network different due to the weak legal status of animals,

various forms of animal cruelty are practiced inside Nepal. “The existing

laws lack enforcement due to different loopholes and a lack of commitment.

In fact, Nepal remains one of the few countries in the world without an

animal welfare act,” said Pramada Shah, President of the network.

 

 

 

Animal rights campaigners in Nepal aim to make animal protection a part of

constitution. According to the network governments across the world

increasingly ensure the rights of animals in their laws, with the European

Union leading the Western countries. “Once animals are given protection in

the constitution then the rights of animals will be ensured in different

laws,” said campaigners Dr Govinda Tandon, Malika Nepal and Manoj Gautam.

 

 

 

AWNN encouraged Nepalese CA members to inspire a public debate about animal

cruelty and to speak out against all forms of animal abuse. “In the long

run animal cruelty including overpopulation and neglect of stray dogs, the

cruel transportation of livestock, the inhumane killing of food animals, the

poaching of wildlife, cruelty in the name of religion and culture, and the

abuse of working animals will give Nepal a bad name and impact its position

in the global community,” said Shah.

 

 

 

The discussion between CA members and the representatives of different

animal welfare organizations in Nepal was the first of its kind. The

workshop called for the improvement and implementation of existing laws and

the introduction of a much needed animal welfare act. The workshop also

addressed the legal loopholes of the existing Wildlife Act and Policies

2003, and presented a vision for wildlife breeding in Nepal.

 

 

 

According to the campaigners, Nepal needs to be inspired by the Universal

Declaration of Animal Rights (UDAR) which is supported by various

governments across the world and will be tabled at the UN General Assembly.

UDAR states that “We do not accept that a difference in species alone (any

more than a difference in race) can justify wanton exploitation or

oppression in the name of science or sport, or for use as food, for

commercial profit or for other human ends.”

 

 

 

Among the countries that ensured the rights of animals in their constitution

are India, Germany, France, Serbia, USA and Argentina.

 

 

 

*For more information, contact Mahesh Sharma, Campaign Coordinator AWNN at

+977 9803789437**.*

 

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AWNN

 

c/o Animal Nepal

 

PO Box 7770

 

Ekantakuna, Patan

 

www.awnnepal.blogspot.com

 

www.stopanimalsacrifice.com

 

 

 

 

--

Lucia de Vries

Freelance Journalist

Nepal - Netherlands