Sandra has achieved the unprecedented legal status of a “non-human person.” A court has recognized that she has rights and that being kept in a zoo unlawfully deprives her of her freedom.
Woo hoo!!!! 😀 😀 😀
In November, the Association of Professional Lawyers for Animal Rights (AFADA) filed for habeas corpus, a petition usually used to challenge the imprisonment of a human who has been illegally detained. Instead, this petition sought freedom for Sandra, a Sumatran orangutan. Sandra has spent the last 20 years of her life at the Buenos Aires Zoo. In 1986, she was born into captivity at a German zoo. Nine years later she was sent to Argentina. Sandra is described as very shy, with a marked preference for avoiding the stares of zoo visitors. AFADA’s case asserted “the unjustified confinement of an animal with probable cognitive capability” illegally deprived a “non-human person” of her freedom. AFADA insisted Sandra was a person in a philosophic sense, rather than a biological one. In other words, she’s not human, but she deserves certain equivalent rights. A three-member panel of Argentina’s Second Chamber of the Criminal Appeals Court unanimously granted habeas corpus, deciding that Sandra is a “juridical person” rather than an object.
Congratulations Sandra and well done Argentina!
Let us hope that this decision is upheld and that it will lead to a more enlightened attitude worldwide resulting in person-hood rights being granted to all captive animals.
Happy New Year!!!!!!!
My wife is from Argentina and I was so happy to learn that they liberated Sandra from the Buenos Aires ZOO. It is located in the city center near Palermo, and the location itself is very antique and not well suited for animals. I’m against all forms of their exploitation for a long time, and it was a happy news to learn that something is really changing. Even ourselves, since we became vegans with my wife this year and we had a wonderful traditional meal Panqueque Aleman in its vegan version (our friends from Eternal Abundance provided us with information how to substitute the milk and eggs so that the taste stays equally salted).
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It is wonderful news about Sandra, we all just have to keep our fingers crossed now that the zoo doesn’t appeal, or that, if they do, they fail. It is brilliant that the legal establishment has recognised Sandra’s right to a free and natural life and that is, in itself, a huge step forward. Thank you for your comment. Happy New Year! 🙂
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Yay!!! But where will she go, after being in captivity for so long?
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She would go to a sanctuary to live a more natural life. Click on the link at the bottom for the whole story 🙂
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Ahhhh. Okay. Nice!
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Wonderful! x
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😀 xx
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Reblogged this on Steve Cunio and commented:
Go Sandra!
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Yeah!!! Thanks for reblogging this 🙂
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Yeah! Nice article! You might be interested in this: Sum of us have raised 200,000 signatures to stop PepsiCo destroying Sandra’s relative’s forest homes. They are now wanting people to choose an Ad to go on the London buses that go around the PepsiCo/Doritos offices to help the orangutans. Just thought, you should send them a link to your blog – could be helpful!
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Thanks for the info, I wasn’t aware of that but have now signed the petition
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2014 already. How long that took. Incredible. Have a lovely and merry vegan Christmas. 😀
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Thank you so much, and the same to you 🙂
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formidable
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🙂
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HAPPY NEW YEAR SANDRA !!! and a big thank you from me for all the people who made this possible !
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Absolutely! And from me too 🙂
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awwww hope the sweet girl gets to go to a sanctuary
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me too 🙂
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So happy to hear, but what happens to Sandra now?
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You can click on the link to read the whole story, but we have to hope that the zoo doesn’t appeal. If the decision is upheld she will be able to move to a sanctuary 🙂
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It sounds great, but what is going to be done with her? Will they airlift her to a jungle and just drop her off? She was unfortunately born in captivity. Does she even know how to find food or to protect herself? What if she needs a vaccination? Does the veterinarian need to ask for her permission to treat her? Her rescue story is just beginning. Please continue to post updates, if you can.
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If you click on the link you can read the whole story. She can’t be released into the wild because she wouldn’t survive, but she can be relocated to a sanctuary where she can live out her life more naturally and without being gawked at.
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That’s a much better idea. I’m glad to hear that her defense included a comprehensive plan for her.
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Well, I just posted about Sandra yesterday! . Great news, but still, the zoo has 10 days to appeal and they deny animal sentience. So let us hope that all goes well and Sandra is set free!.
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How frightening is that – a zoo denying animal sentience! Yes indeed, we all hope this decision is not overturned x
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Dear Violet, this touches me deeply because it is my childhood zoo. Beyond its magnificent 19th century architecture, the penguins are dying of heat stroke outdoors. Outdated facilities, concrete cages for large carnivores, enslavement of so many species
What saddened me most is that, according to the article I read, the zoo’s head of biology condones her enslavement because orangutans are “solitary creatures”, among other things.
Very pleased to see Sandra again and that the habeas corpus iniative is making waves. Thank you for sharing the news!.
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It is just such fantastic news to end the year with. The establishment showing sense and compassion. Things are moving very positively in the right direction 🙂
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Reblogged this on Rethinking Life and commented:
Great news for animals, the people who love them, and Animal Rights Activists everywhere.
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This is truly wonderful news. Thank you for this special gift.
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And let’s hope this just the beginning 🙂
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It brings a ray of hope that humanity exists as we step into a new year. Thank you Violet for sharing it. Merry Christmas to you 🙂
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It certainly does. Thanks Ady, and to you 😀
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Thank you for sharing the info!!! I liked it…and teblogged…..happy Chrstmas!!!
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My pleasure, and a very Merry Christmas to you too 🙂
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Reblogged this on france's organic beauty secrets and commented:
Defending nature and natural…..in live, in food, in cosmetics…I also fight for animals rights…..I was so happy to read that post….I had to reblog it!!!
This court decision is a huge step in the protection of animals field!!!
So….happy Christmas Sandra!!!
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It is fantastic news! Thanks for the reblog 🙂
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