Judge Recognizes Two Chimpanzees as Legal Persons, Grants them Writ of Habeas Corpus

[Axulus]

For the first time in history a judge has granted an order to show cause and writ of habeas corpus on behalf of a nonhuman animal. This afternoon, in a case brought by the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP), Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Barbara Jaffe issued an order to show cause and writ of habeas corpus on behalf of two chimpanzees, Hercules and Leo, who are being used for biomedical experimentation at Stony Brook University on Long Island, New York.

http://www.nonhumanrightsproject.or...al-persons-grants-them-writ-of-habeas-corpus/

A significant development in animal rights or an isolated move by a judge with an ideological position without legal basis? Is the move a step in the right direction or is this a step too far?

 

[Valjean]

A step in the right direction, I'd say.

 

[laughing dog]

For the first time in history a judge has granted an order to show cause and writ of habeas corpus on behalf of a nonhuman animal. This afternoon, in a case brought by the Nonhuman Rights Project (NhRP), Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Barbara Jaffe issued an order to show cause and writ of habeas corpus on behalf of two chimpanzees, Hercules and Leo, who are being used for biomedical experimentation at Stony Brook University on Long Island, New York.

http://www.nonhumanrightsproject.or...al-persons-grants-them-writ-of-habeas-corpus/

A significant development in animal rights or an isolated move by a judge with an ideological position without legal basis?

The two are not mutually exclusive.

Is the move a step in the right direction or is this a step too far?

At this time, I am ambivalent about this.

 

[jonatha]

Well, the GOP does need a fresh infusion of likely voters.....

 

[Potoooooooo]

 

[dismal]

Does this mean chimps are going to do time for killing stealing bananas?

 

[fast]

Does this mean chimps are going to do time for killing stealing bananas?

Clarification Posted 4/21/2015, 1 pm Eastern
Within the last few hours, the Nonhuman Rights Project has become aware of certain reporting about yesterday’s “Order to Show Cause and Writ of Habeas Corpus” issued by Judge Barbara Jaffe of the New York County Supreme Court that we think exaggerates or reads too much into the Judge’s Order. We would like to make clear what we believe the Order does, and does not, necessarily mean and at the same time clarify a press release that we issued yesterday afternoon.

...

 

[Keith&Co.]

Does this mean chimps are going to do time for killing stealing bananas?

No. Chimps have white skin. So they'll be the first endangered white people. They'll barely be detained by cops, much less prosecuted.

 

[dismal]

If chimps are white people don't they just use their white privileges to get out of medical experiments?

 

[ideologyhunter]

Chimps like to wear tuxedos and hold cigars. They roller skate. They understand the Constitution at least as well as Scalia. I say, break the Republican Catholic lock on SCOTUS. Progressive chimps rule!

 

[Bronzeage]

Chimps like to wear tuxedos and hold cigars. They roller skate. They understand the Constitution at least as well as Scalia. I say, break the Republican Catholic lock on SCOTUS. Progressive chimps rule!

I have read that one of the principle differences in humans and chimps is, chimpanzees do not have the same element of empathy in their emotional make up. The human desire to be liked by other people, which allows cooperation instead of selfish personal action, is lacking in chimps.

This would tend to make them Republicans.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

So, if a chimp flings poo at me, I can have him arrested for assault?

 

[dismal]

So, if a chimp flings poo at me, I can have him arrested for assault?

Yes, obviously with rights come responsibilities.

On the other hand chimps may convince judges poo flinging is protected by the second amendment.

These chimps seem to be pretty good lawyers.

 

[hinduwoman]

A step in the right direction, I'd say.

Werenot conservatives saying that this is the slippery slope you got on when homosexuality is made legal?

 

[hinduwoman]

If chimps are white people don't they just use their white privileges to get out of medical experiments?

Well they are poor white people and the white people who would benefit from the research is rich. So...

 

[Bronzeage]

If chimps are white people don't they just use their white privileges to get out of medical experiments?

Well they are poor white people and the white people who would benefit from the research is rich. So...

Let's not forget a vital element in this discussion. Most chimpanzees are nudists. This will require a reconsideration of the civil codes in every jurisdiction. Either chimps have to wear pants, or nobody does.

 

[PyramidHead]

An interesting question. Firstly, the idea that rights also confer responsibility is not a settled matter. Severely mentally disabled human beings are not held responsible in the same way as non-disabled humans, but they have pretty much the same rights. I suppose that is consonant with rights being inalienable and so forth. The Bill of Rights doesn't say we are also furnished by our Creator with certain inalienable responsibilities, after all.

 

[Tom Sawyer]

A step in the right direction, I'd say.

Werenot conservatives saying that this is the slippery slope you got on when homosexuality is made legal?

I guess they were right. If chimps are legal persons, then it seems that it would be discriminatory to say that other legal persons can't marry them.

 

[dismal]

An interesting question. Firstly, the idea that rights also confer responsibility is not a settled matter. Severely mentally disabled human beings are not held responsible in the same way as non-disabled humans, but they have pretty much the same rights. I suppose that is consonant with rights being inalienable and so forth. The Bill of Rights doesn't say we are also furnished by our Creator with certain inalienable responsibilities, after all.

Chimps are not mentally disabled.

What sort of chimpophobic comment is that?

 

[Starr]

Why are people saying chimps are white? While chimps tend to have skin tones that are light relative to their fur when they are young, adult chimps tend to have quite dark skin.