Author: Andréa Morris / Source: Forbes
The verdict to deny appeal was handed down this week by New York’s highest court to Jane Goodall and the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP).
It’s a case to determine whether 2 chimpanzees, Tommy and Kiko, should be moved from the legal category of “thing” to the legal category of “persons” where they will no longer be considered property. The case has broad implications for the intrinsic value of intelligent, sensitive nonhumans. The denial was expected. What was unexpected was the opinion given alongside the verdict by Justice Fahey. It’s an opinion that the NhRP considers a major victory.Justice Fahey writes:
I agree with the principle that all human beings possess intrinsic dignity and value… but, in elevating our species, we should not lower the status of other highly intelligent species.”
NhRP communications director Lauren Choplin says:
We don’t know–and might never know–exactly why we were denied, but the judge makes it clear we weren’t denied based on the merits of…
The post Nonhumans Had A Small but Unprecedented Win In Court This Week appeared first on FeedBox.