Unnecessary Animal Cruelty
A resolution to restrict civil freedoms in the interest of moral decency.
Category: Moral Decency
Strength: Significant
Proposed by: Old Argentina
Description: The United Nations,
Recognizing the cruelty and inhumane treatment to which a great number of animals are continuously and unnecessarily subject to;
Acknowledging animals’ basic freedom from needless torture and abuse;
Horrified by the widespread practice of so-called ‘blood sports’, such as bullfighting or dog fighting, in a legal manner;
Disgusted at how certain individuals and organizations make an economic profit from the affliction, agony, and death of animals as a public spectacle,
Not considering cultural significance as a valid argument defending the torture of animals for the purpose of entertainment or recreation, and;
In an attempt to eradicate the dispensable suffering of other living beings;
1. Defines, for the purpose of this resolution:
a) The term ''animal'' as every non-sapient, non-botanical living being except fungi and microorganisms.
b) The term ''legal biomedical research'' as the scientific tests, experiments, or investigations conducted by any individual, institution or organization which has been given permission to perform such activities by competent authorities in accordance with standing UN legislation.
c) The term ''proper shelter'' as (i) area with sufficient space to allow the animal to easily stand, sit, lie, turn about, and make all other normal body movements in a comfortable, normal position for the animal and (ii) dwelling place which is safe and protects the animal from injury, physical suffering, and impairment of health.
d) The term ''proper veterinary care'' as any veterinary treatment needed to prevent suffering or impairment of health.
2. Mandates that:
a) The following shall be strictly prohibited:
- Torturing, cruelly beating, overdriving, overloading, causing substantial bodily harm or tormenting any animal.
- Maliciously, deliberately or recklessly injuring, wounding, poisoning, maiming, disfiguring, mutilating or killing any animal.
- Knowingly and willfully depriving any animal of necessary sustenance, food or drink.
- Force-feeding any animal by any method.
- Willfully depriving any animal of proper shelter or proper veterinary care.
- Knowingly and willfully causing or procuring any of the aforementioned.
b) All public or social activities displaying, exhibiting or involving the substantial bodily suffering of, the intentional infliction of significant physical pain on or the death of any animal shall be prevented and banned.
c) The following shall be exempted from all the above clauses:
- Activities conducted for the primary purpose of and strictly required for providing food for human or animal consumption.
- Activities conducted for purposes of legal biomedical research.
- Professional veterinary practices performed in the interests of an animal's health or welfare.
- The destruction of any animal for the purposes of protecting the public, other animals, property, or the public health.
- The humane destruction of an animal accomplished by a method that involves instantaneous unconsciousness and immediate death.
d) All forms of organized animal combat, where participating animals are forced, instigated or in any way encouraged to fight between each other, shall be prevented and banned.
3. Urges members to increase the awareness of animal cruelty and continue to instill respect for animals through education, and;
4. Further encourages the adoption of policies and regulations to preserve the basic dignity of all animals
