Letters to Lobby for

Constitutional Protection for

Animals
0 1

Updated December 2014

Before initiating or engaging in a campaign to

amend a constitution to include animal
protection, be sure to understand the
necessary steps involved in making such an
amendment. Some common questions include:

What does my country’s constitution

currently declare (or not declare) about
animals? What would ideal language say,
and what challenges/opportunities exist for
implementing such provisions?
What authority exists to amend the
constitution and which government body
or bodies may initiate such a process?
Does my country/region allow the public
initiate a change to the constitution by
popular vote? If so, what are the
requirements?
What is the most appropriate timing
(procedurally and strategically) for seeking
to introduce animal protection in the
constitution?
What is the legislative landscape regarding
animals and how might it complement or
otherwise impact constitutional
amendment efforts?
Are there any other issues of constitutional
importance currently being discussed, and
is there any opportunity to link animal
protection concerns into these issues, if so?

Below are some sample letters to advocate for

animal protection in constitutions. Keep in
mind, however, that successful advocacy may
also require all or some combination of the
following: research, introduction and follow-up
meetings, lobbying/negotiations with officials
over a period of time, collaboration with
likeminded allies and stakeholders, media work
and campaigning.

World Animal Net resources on Strategic

Advocacy for Animal Welfare may be helpful
in this regard.

National
Regional/State
United Nations

National

[ENTER NAME & ADDRESS OF RECIPIENT -

include government departments and
Ministers likely to be sympathetic]

[ENTER DATE]

Dear [NAME],

I am writing on behalf of [ADD SOCIETY NAME

AND INFO] to request your support for an
initiative to include animal protection
principles in [COUNTRY NAME]'s constitution.

We are approaching you in the context of

World Animal Net's Constitution Project, which
has launched an international movement in
favor of placing animals in constitutions. We
would be grateful for your views on the
importance of animal protection and the
feasibility of including this in our own
country's constitution.

It is our view that action to take full and proper

account of animal protection in our
constitution is long overdue. Animal protection
is an important ethical and political question
commanding major public support, and we feel
that it is time to rectify this omission. First and
foremost, as a fundamental principle animals
should be recognized as sentient beings with
intrinsic value. We envision the following
fundamental additional provisions:

A requirement that the government and

the citizens at all times to consider animals
with respect, and treat them with
compassion.
A requirement that the government to
develop laws and enforcement structures
so as to afford animals the highest level of
protection.
A requirement that the government
develop and support humane education
programs to encourage respect and
compassion for people, animals and the
environment, and recognition of the
interdependence of all living things.

WAN has researched the following countries

and regions around the world, which have
included animal protection provisions in their
constitutions. More detailed information can
be found at http://worldanimal.net/our-
programs/constitution-project-resources. We
would like to further discuss these proposals,
as well as potential language for inclusion in
the constitution. We look forward to receiving
your response.

Yours Sincerely,

Regional/State

[ENTER NAME & ADDRESS OF RECIPIENT -

include local government departments and
Councilors/Ministers likely to be sympathetic]

[ENTER DATE]

Dear [NAME],

I am writing on behalf of [ADD SOCIETY NAME

AND INFO] to request your support for an
initiative to include animal protection
principles in the [REGION/STATE NAME]'s
constitution.

We are approaching you in the context of

World Animal Net's Constitution Project, which
has launched an international movement in
favor of placing animals in constitutions. We
would be grateful for your views on the
importance of animal protection and the
feasibility of including this in our
REGIONAL/STATE constitution.

It is our view that action to take full and proper

account of animal protection in our
constitution is long overdue. Animal protection
is an important ethical and political question
governed by internationally agreed standards
commanding major public support, and we feel
that the time to rectify this omission is long
overdue.

First and foremost, as a fundamental principle

animals should be recognized as sentient
beings with intrinsic value. We envision the
following fundamental additional provisions:

A requirement that the government and

the citizens at all times to consider animals
with respect, and treat them with
compassion.
A requirement that the government to
develop laws and enforcement structures
so as to afford animals the highest level of
protection.
A requirement that the government
develop and support humane education
programs to encourage respect and
compassion for people, animals and the
environment, and recognition of the
interdependence of all living things.

WAN has researched the following countries

and regions around the world, which have
included animal protection provisions in their
constitutions. More detailed information can
be found at http://worldanimal.net/our-
programs/constitution-project-resources. We
would like to further discuss these proposals,
as well as potential language for inclusion in
the constitution. We look forward to receiving
your response.

Yours Sincerely,

United Nations

His/Her Excellency
Permanent Representative of [insert country]
to the United Nations
[Enter Remainder of Address- See the UN
bluebook for a list of physical and email
addresses.]

[ENTER DATE]

Re: Animal Protection at UN Level

Dear Ambassador/Your Excellency,

I am writing on behalf of [ADD SOCIETY NAME

AND INFO] in the context of World Animal Net's
Constitution Project, which has launched an
international movement in favor of placing
animals in constitutions and prioritizing the
protection of animals on a global scale.

Animal welfare is an issue of global

significance and should be prioritized as such
at the United Nations. Furthermore, scientific
evidence now demonstrates that animals are
sentient beings capable of suffering. We also
understand that the welfare of animals is
inherently linked to many other social concerns
that are currently being addressed at the
United Nations. Yet, to date, no charter or
declaration has addressed the need for the
need for animal welfare to be considered in the
context of a country’s development.

We are concerned to the lack of attention to

animal welfare at the United Nations, and are
asking that the Permanent Mission of [INSERT
COUNTRY] endorse, without delay, a Universal
Declaration of Animal Welfare. In addition, we
are calling for your leadership on an
international conference on this issue of
worldwide concern. Lastly, we urge the
permanent mission to press for the specific
general inclusion of animal welfare within the
scope of United Nations activities.

Amongst the whole family of UN bodies that

consider a wide-ranging and diverse array of
subjects, there appears to be none that
consider animal protection matters outside of
species conservation for societal benefits. Thus,
a tremendous void exists given the wide remit
in the Charter of the United Nations, and the
growing political importance of animal
protection matters.

Animal welfare is now accepted as an

international policy issue of significance. The
membership of the World Organisation for
Animal Health (OIE) for example, have agreed
upon guiding principles for animal welfare and
a rapidly-growing body of international animal
welfare standards. It has also supported the
conclusion of a number of regional strategies
for the progressive development of animal
welfare. Furthermore, animal welfare has now
been recognized as an important
developmental policy issue by many regional
bodies outside of Europe (where much ground-
breaking has been initiated in the Council or
Europe and European Union), including by
bodies such as the African Union and some
Regional Economic Communities in
‘developing’ countries.

We do hope that you will reflect upon this

matter, and consider formally requesting the
UN to recognize animals as sentient beings and
incorporate animal welfare within the sphere
of UN activities. Such inclusion would elevate
the consideration of animals globally and
provide moral leadership to the UN's member
nations.

There is also the option of joining the

campaign for a Universal Declaration for
Animal Welfare (UDAW), which is already
supported by many governments; and of
backing calls for the UN to officially recognize
World Animal Day, which is already to focus of
positive animal welfare events across the world
every year (on 4th October).

We look forward to hearing from you about

how [country] may be able to support this
initiative.

Yours Sincerely,

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