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RZ24 - The Sentient Rights Act

Published in Clark #6

Whereas, it can be said that one objective in granting rights is to reduce suffering and enhance flourishing, so the use of sentience as the main characteristic may be more appropriate, and

Whereas, it was the trailblazing philosopher Jeremy Bentham who wrote in 1879, "The question is not, Can they reason? nor, Can they talk? but, Can they suffer?", and

Whereas, sentience is the characteristic of consciousness whereby an organism has a sufficient level of awareness to experience suffering, and

Whereas, sentience has been proven to be a characteristic not exclusive to homo sapiens sapiens, and

Whereas, it is therefore a fact that the restriction of the normative and legal discussion and codification of rights to humankind is an unacceptable case of anthropocentric speciesism.

Therefore, be it enacted that El Lex 5.3.13 which currently reads:
 

10 December. Human Rights Day. A suggested method to celebrate Human Rights Day is reviewing Article XI of The Organic Law and/or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Is amended to read as:
 

10 December. Sentient Rights Day. A day to celebrate the dignity and honor the rights of all sentient beings.

Therefore, be it further enacted, that the Ziu of the Kingdom of Talossa, adds a new section to El Lex F as follows:
 

F. 43 The Kingdom of Talossa endorses the transition in considerations from a legal and moral regime prioritising the protection of the rights of humankind to one that seeks the protection of the rights of all sentient beings.

58th Cosâ, Clark #6 results		Amendment?	Ziu	Cosâ				Senäts
Bill	Title		Result	Për	Contrâ	Abstain	Result	Për	Contrâ	Abstain	Result
RZ24	The Sentient Rights Act	No (double majority needed)	Fail	70	46	72	Pass	1	4	2	Fail