Last Updated on: 22nd November 2023, 02:52 am
On Monday 4 September, 2023, the UK Centre for Animal Law (A-LAW) applauded the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child for acknowledging the impact that witnessing violence inflicted on animals can have on children, as well as the positive benefit of interacting with the animal world.
The Committee on the Rights of the Child, which is responsible for the interpretation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, issued a legally binding General Comment 26 on 22 August 2023. This statement focused on the environment and climate change, and included sections on the right to life, survival and development, and the right to freedom from all forms of violence.
The World Federation for Animals noted that the Committee’s reference to child protection from violence inflicted on animals is an important step towards making cruelty to animals unacceptable.
The European Link Coalition, which advocates for the recognition of the potential impact that witnessing violence towards animals can have on children, hailed the Committee’s new General Comment. Malcolm Plant, spokesperson for the group, said: “The realization that we protect animals when we protect children – and protect children when we protect animals is ground breaking. This should mean that no child can be taken trophy hunting, attend bullfighting or animal sacrifice festivals. It should also mean creating laws to protect children from violence against animals within their homes.”
Erin Leach, A-Law volunteer and a Researcher in international human rights law, expressed her enthusiasm for the new General Comment. She said: “What we see here is a convergence – a meeting point of kinds, one where the Committee has recognised with absolute clarity that the welfare of children and animals is connected. In my view, this is the entry of animal protection into international human rights law, and it will be incredibly interesting to see how the treaty framework and national jurisdictions choose to progress these rights.”
The UK Centre for Animal Law welcomes General Comment 26 and will be working with the European Link Coalition and others to support its proper implementation and enforcement.
The UK Centre for Animal Law (A-Law) has welcomed the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child’s recognition of the impact witnessing violence inflicted on animals can have on children and the positive benefit of interacting with the animal world.
The Committee on the Rights of the Child, which is responsible for the interpretation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, issued a legally binding statement on 22 August 2023, focusing on the environment and climate change. This statement included sections on the right to life, survival and development, and the right to freedom from all forms of violence.
The World Federation for Animals noted that the Committee’s reference to child protection from violence inflicted on animals is an important step towards making cruelty to animals unacceptable. The European Link Coalition, which advocates for the recognition of the potential impact that witnessing violence towards animals can have on children, also hailed the Committee’s new General Comment.
Erin Leach, A-Law volunteer and a Researcher in international human rights law, expressed her enthusiasm for the new General Comment, saying: “What we see here is a convergence – a meeting point of kinds, one where the Committee has recognised with absolute clarity that the welfare of children and animals is connected. In my view, this is the entry of animal protection into international human rights law, and it will be incredibly interesting to see how the treaty framework and national jurisdictions choose to progress these rights.”
The UK Centre for Animal Law welcomes General Comment 26 and will be working with the European Link Coalition and others to support its proper implementation and enforcement.
