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Declaration for Rights for Cetaceans: Whales and Dolphins

International
Approved in 2010
International
Civil Society Declaration
Animal Rights, Personhood, Rights Of Nature
Cetaceans
Animal, Marine Ecosystem
Cetacean Rights
NGO

Summary

In 2010, the Declaration for the Rights for Cetaceans, campaigned by a group of scientists and ethicists working through the NGO Cetacean Rights, was presented at a conference in Helsinki, Finland. The declaration gives cetaceans, specifically dolphins and whales, the right to life and legal personhood. The declaration is a push for cetaceans to be protected under international law. If done so, the declaration would give dolphins and whales legal protections from hunters, marine parks, aquariums, etc. No such declaration has been incorporated into international law.

Suggested Citation:
Kauffman, Craig, Catherine Haas, Alex Putzer, Shrishtee Bajpai, Kelsey Leonard, Elizabeth Macpherson, Pamela Martin, Alessandro Pelizzon & Linda Sheehan. Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. V2. 2025. Distributed by the Eco Jurisprudence Monitor.https://ecojurisprudence.org/initiatives/rights-for-cetaceans-whales-and-dolphins/.

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Legal Document

Declaration for the Rights for Cetaceans: Whales and Dolphins
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Additional Resources

Whales and dolphins 'should have legal rights'
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