Finland citizens’ initiative: constitutional proposal for animal rights

Summary

On December 14, 2023, a citizen’s initiative was submitted to the Finnish parliament that proposes adding basic animal rights to the Finnish constitution alongside human rights. Currently, there are no entries in the Finnish constitution regarding animals. Fundamental rights currently mean the rights guaranteed to people, and the rights of people override the laws enacted to protect animals. Because it’s a constitutional proposal, it’s proceeding in a complicated legislative order, which means that the proposal for basic animal rights could become a reality at the earliest in 2027.

The constitutional proposal declares all animals to be sentient beings and outlines rights and protections including: “Animals have legal standing” (Section 1). “Public authorities must safeguard the realisation of fundamental animal rights and develop society in a way, which guarantees the fundamental rights of animals. Companies must respect fundamental animal rights in their activities” (Section 2). “A wild animal has the right to life and the right to live in freedom, in the animal’s natural habitat” (Section 3).

The constitutional proposal also states that “Although animal rights and the rights of human beings are not the same, they are equivalent in principle when weighed against each other. The aim is a balanced assessment of the interests of humans and animals. The responsibility for animals includes caring for the common living environment and respecting all sentient individuals that live there, with due regard for their fundamental rights.”

The constitutional proposal began as a citizen’s petition drafted by the Finnish Animal Rights Lawyers Association in February 2023. The initiative gathered the required 50,000 declarations of support and was subsequently submitted to parliament. This is the first citizens’ initiative to advance to the parliament that proposes changes to the Finnish constitution.