Summary
Since 2023, Rechtsperson Reuss, a Swiss nature conservation association, is working to establish legal personhood for the Reuss River by enshrining its fundamental rights in the Constitution of the Canton of Lucerne and possibly other cantons (Uri, Zug, Zurich, Aargau). The association plans to launch a popular initiative, which will provide the Reuss River with fundamental rights and its own legal personality by anchoring the following articles in the constitution:
§ 10 paragraph 3 KV (new)
The rights of non-human natural persons must be respected and protected.
§ 10bis KV (new)
Protection of the non-human natural person “Reuss”
1) The Reuss has the right to represent its own interests as a hybrid personality in the legal system
2) The Reuss has the right to physical integrity, in particular to clean water
3) Any cruel or degrading treatment of a natural person in and on the Reuss is prohibited. Their right to physical integrity must be respected.
A definitive text will have to be drawn up as part of an initiative committee if a similar text is not implemented by the cantonal parliament. In addition, the association is committed to anchoring legal personality and fundamental rights for other non-human beings in the constitution and is networking with other organizations that pursue this goal.