Animal rights by country or territory

Last updated

Worldwide laws on the official recognition of non-human animal sentience and suffering.

.mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{}
National recognition of animal sentience
Partial recognition of animal sentience
National recognition of animal suffering
Partial recognition of animal suffering
No recognition of animal sentience or suffering
Unknown World laws pertaining to animal sentience.svg
Worldwide laws on the official recognition of non-human animal sentience and suffering.
  National recognition of animal sentience  Partial recognition of animal sentience  National recognition of animal suffering  Partial recognition of animal suffering  No recognition of animal sentience or suffering  Unknown

Animal rights vary greatly among countries and territories. Such laws range from the legal recognition of non-human animal sentience to the absolute lack of any anti-cruelty laws, with no regard for animal welfare.

Contents

Overview

As of November 2019, 32 countries have formally recognized non-human animal sentience. These are: Austria, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.[ citation needed ]

The Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW) is a proposed global initiative designed to acknowledge animal sentience, prevent cruelty, minimize suffering, and establish welfare standards for animals. It applies to various categories, including farm animals, pets, animals used in scientific research, working animals, wildlife, and those involved in recreational activities. [1]

The Great Ape Project is currently campaigning to have the United Nations endorse a World Declaration on Great Apes, which would extend to non-human great apes the protection of three basic interests: the right to life, the protection of individual liberty, and the prohibition of torture.[ citation needed ] Six countries currently ban the use of great apes for scientific research, and Austria is the only country in the world to ban experiments on lesser apes.[ citation needed ]

In 2009, Bolivia became the first country to banish animal abuse and harm in circuses. [2] The United States of America is the only country in the world that has banned killing horses for consumption,[ citation needed ] and India have banned killing cows for consumption in some of its states.[ citation needed ]

Cow is the national animal of Nepal, and cow slaughter is a punishable offense as per the prevailing law.

In 2014, the Jain pilgrimage destination of Palitana City in Indian state of Gujarat became the first city in the world to be legally vegetarian. It has banned buying and selling meat, fish, and eggs, as well as related jobs, such as fishing and animal farming. [3] [4] [5] [6]

Global animal rights maps

Food production
Clothing and cosmetics
Entertainment

Council of Europe convention maps

Principal laws on animal rights

General Legislation
CountryRecognition of animal sentienceRecognition of animal sufferingAnti-cruelty laws meet OIE standards [11] Any laws against animal cruelty Support at the

United Nations [a]

Flag of Algeria.svg Algeria [12] [13] NoNoNoYes -unenforcedNo
Flag of Angola.svg Angola [14] NoNoNoNoNo
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina [15] YesYesYesYesNo
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia [16] YesYesPartial - varies internallyYesNo
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria [17] YesYesYesYesPartial - support from various internal departments
Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan [18] NoNoNoNoNo
Flag of Belarus.svg Belarus [19] NoNoNoNoNo
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Belgium [20] [21] YesYesUnknownYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg Bosnia and Herzegovina [22] NoYesNoYesNo
Flag of Botswana.svg Botswana [14] NoNoNoYesNo
Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil [23] YesYesYesYesYes
Flag of Bulgaria.svg Bulgaria [20] [21] YesYesUnknownYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of Cambodia.svg Cambodia [24] [25] NoNoNoNoYes
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada [26] YesYesNoYesYes
Flag of Chile.svg Chile [27] YesYesNoYesYes
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China [28] NoNoNoNoNo
Flag of Colombia.svg  Colombia [29] YesYesYesYesNo
Flag of Costa Rica.svg Costa Rica [30] [31] NoYesUnknownYesYes
Flag of Croatia.svg Croatia [21] YesYesUnknownYesNo
Flag of Cyprus.svg Cyprus [20] [21] YesYesUnknownYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Czech Republic [20] [21] YesYesUnknownYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg Democratic Republic of Congo [14] NoNoNoNoNo
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark [32] YesYesYesYesPartial - support from the Minister for Food
Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt [33] [34] [35] NoYesNoYes -unenforcedNo
Flag of Eritrea.svg Eritrea [36] NoNoNoNoNo
Flag of Estonia.svg Estonia [20] [21] YesYesUnknownYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia [37] NoNoNoYesNo
Flag of Fiji.svg Fiji [38] [39] NoYesNoYesYes
Flag of Finland.svg Finland [20] [21] YesYesUnknownYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of France.svg  France [40] YesYesYesYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany [41] YesYesYesYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of Greece.svg Greece [20] [21] YesYesUnknownYesPartial - support from the Minister for Food
Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong [42] [43] NoYesNoYesN/a (China responsible for foreign affairs)
Flag of Hungary.svg Hungary [20] [21] YesYesUnknownYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of India.svg  India [44] NoYesNoYesPartial - support from the Animal Welfare Board
Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia [45] Partial - mental health recognizedYesNoYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of Iran.svg  Iran [46] NoNoNoNoNo
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland [20] [21] YesYesUnknownYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy [47] YesYesNoYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of Japan.svg  Japan [48] NoYesNoYesNo
Flag of Kazakhstan.svg Kazakhstan [49] NoNoNoYesNo
Flag of Kenya.svg Kenya [50] NoYesNoYesNo
Flag of Latvia.svg Latvia [20] [21] YesYesUnknownYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of Lebanon.svg Lebanon [51] [52] PartialYesYesYesNo
Flag of Lesotho.svg Lesotho [14] NoNoNoYes -unenforcedNo
Flag of Lithuania.svg Lithuania [20] [21] YesYesUnknownYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of Luxembourg.svg Luxembourg [20] [21] YesYesUnknownYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of Madagascar.svg Madagascar [14] NoNoNoNoNo
Flag of Malawi.svg Malawi [14] NoYesNoYes - unenforcedNo
Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia [53] NoYesNoYesYes
Flag of Maldives.svg Maldives NoNoUnknownYes

[54]

No
Flag of Mali.svg Mali [55] NoNoNoYesNo
Flag of Malta.svg Malta [20] [21] YesYesUnknownYesPartial - support from the Minister for Resources
Flag of Mauritius.svg Mauritius [14] [56] NoNoNoYesNo
Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico [57] Partial - varies internallyYesNoYesNo
Flag of Mongolia.svg Mongolia [58] NoNoNoNoNo
Flag of Morocco.svg Morocco [59] [60] NoYesNoYes -unenforcedNo
Flag of Mozambique.svg Mozambique [14] NoNoNoNoNo
Flag of Myanmar.svg Myanmar [61] NoYesNoYesNo
Flag of Namibia.svg Namibia [14] NoYesNoYesNo
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand [62] YesYesYesYesYes
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands [63] YesYesYesYesYes
Flag of Niger.svg Niger [64] NoPartial - domesticated animals onlyNoYesNo
Flag of North Korea.svg North Korea [65] NoNoNoYesNo
Flag of Norway.svg Norway [66] Partial - mental health recognizedYesNoYesNo
Flag of Pakistan.svg Pakistan [67] NoYesNoYesNo
Flag of Paraguay.svg Paraguay [68] NoYesNoYesNo
Flag of Peru.svg Peru [69] NoYesNoYesYes
Flag of the Philippines.svg Philippines [70] [71] Partial - mental health recognizedYesNoYesPartial - support from various internal departments
Flag of Poland.svg Poland [72] YesYesNoYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of Portugal (official).svg Portugal [20] [21] YesYesNoYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of Romania.svg Romania [73] YesYesNoYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia [74] NoNoNoYesNo
Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg Saudi Arabia [75] NoYesNoYesNo
Flag of Seychelles.svg Seychelles [14] [76] NoNoNoYesYes
Flag of Singapore.svg Singapore [20] [21] NoYesUnknownYesUnknown
Flag of Slovakia.svg Slovakia [20] [21] YesYesUnknownYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of Slovenia.svg Slovenia [20] [21] YesYesUnknownYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa [77] NoYesNoYesNo
Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea [78] NoYesNoYesNo
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain [79] YesYesNoYesPartial - support from the Minister for Agriculture
Flag of Eswatini.svg Swaziland [14] NoYesNoYes -unenforcedNo
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden [80] YesYesYesYesYes
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland [81] YesYesYesYesYes
Flag of Tanzania.svg Tanzania [82] Partial - some animals excludedYesNoYesYes
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand [83] NoYesNoYesPartial - support from various internal departments
Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey [84] Partial - mental health recognizedYesNoYesNo
Flag of Ukraine.svg Ukraine [85] NoYesNoYesNo
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom [86] YesYesYesYesPartial - support from various internal departments
Flag of the United States.svg  United States [87] Partial - varies internallyYesPartial - varies internallyYesPartial - support from various internal departments
Flag of Uruguay.svg Uruguay [88] NoYesNoYesNo
Flag of Venezuela.svg Venezuela [89] NoYesNoYesNo
Flag of Vietnam.svg Vietnam [90] NoNoNoNoNo
Flag of Zambia.svg Zambia [14] NoYesNoYesNo
Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Zimbabwe [14] NoYesNoYesNo

See also

Notes

  1. These countries have pledged to support the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare

References

  1. "Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW)". Europa Regina. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  2. "The perfect storm: How the Bolivian Ban on Animal Circuses was won". Animal Defenders International. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  3. "Culture / society | Worldcrunch - Real news. True sources. Seriously international". Archived from the original on 8 October 2014. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  4. "In India, The World's First Vegetarian City". IndiaDivine.org. 7 March 2015. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  5. "Jain monks want a ban on the sale of non-vegetarian food" . The Independent. 6 July 2014. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  6. van Popering, Ruben (2015). Jain Vegetarian Laws in the City of Palitana : Indefensible Legal Enforcement or Praiseworthy Progressive Moralism?. Linköping University, Department of Culture and Communication, Centre for Applied Ethics.
  7. "Note de conjoncture Palmipèdes gras" [Economic outlook for fatty waterfowl]. ITAVI (in French). March 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2024.
  8. "Foie gras: pleasure, or murder most fowl?". Men's Vogue . September 2005. Archived from the original on 27 June 2008. (Article on one page)
  9. "Ahora PACMA vota por mí" [Now PACMA votes for me](PDF). PACMA (in Spanish). 23 May 2024. p. 30. Retrieved 28 September 2024. En la actualidad, solo cinco países europeos siguen produciendo foie gras: España, Bélgica, Francia, Hungría y Bulgaria. En el resto de países de Europa, su producción ha sido ilegalizada debido a su extrema crueldad. [Currently, only five European countries still produce foie gras: Spain, Belgium, France, Hungary and Bulgaria. In the rest of the countries of Europe, its production has been outlawed due to its extreme cruelty.]
  10. "Circus bans". Stop Circus Suffering. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  11. "OIE standards on animal welfare: OIE - World Organisation for Animal Health". www.oie.int. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  12. "Algeria: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  13. "Animal Cruelty Index - Algeria". Voiceless Animal Cruelty Index. 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  14. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 "ANIMAL WELFARE IN OIE MEMBER COUNTRIES & TERRITORIES IN THE SADC REGION" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 January 2019. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  15. "Argentina | World Animal Protection". api.worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  16. "Australia | World Animal Protection". api.worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  17. "Austria: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  18. "Azerbaijan: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  19. "Belarus: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "European Commission - PRESS RELEASES - Press release - 934th Council meeting Agriculture and Fisheries Brussels, 23 March 2009". europa.eu. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Anonymous (17 October 2016). "Animal welfare". Food Safety - European Commission. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  22. "Zakon o zaštiti i dobrobiti životinja" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 September 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  23. "Brazil | World Animal Protection". api.worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  24. "Animals Matter campaign goes from strength to strength". 20 April 2012. Archived from the original on 20 April 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  25. "Animal laws in the world at national level - GlobalAnimalLaw.org". www.globalanimallaw.org. Retrieved 7 November 2019.
  26. "Canada: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  27. "Chile: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  28. "China: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  29. "Colombia | World Animal Protection". api.worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  30. "Costa Rica makes animal welfare a presidential matter". 21 April 2012. Archived from the original on 21 April 2012. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  31. "Costa Rica | Animal Legal & Historical Center". www.animallaw.info. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  32. "Denmark: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  33. "Egypt: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  34. "Egypt: Lack Of Animal Laws, Animal Abuse, And Pet Cruelty - Global Animal". 14 May 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  35. "Animal Cruelty Index - Egypt". Voiceless Animal Cruelty Index. 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2020.
  36. "Penal Code of Eritrea, 2015" (PDF). Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  37. "Ethiopia: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  38. "28/7/08 - Fiji to support Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW) - Fiji Government Online". 15 September 2009. Archived from the original on 15 September 2009. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  39. "PROTECTION OF ANIMALS ACT 1954 - Laws of Fiji". www.laws.gov.fj. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  40. "France: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  41. "Germany: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  42. "SPCA Hong Kong.. - Animal Cruelty and HK Law". www.spca.org.hk. Archived from the original on 14 January 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  43. "Hong Kong e-Legislation". www.elegislation.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 14 March 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  44. "India: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  45. "Indonesia | World Animal Protection". api.worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  46. "Iran: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  47. "Italy: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  48. "Japan: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  49. "Penal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan - "Adilet" ILS". adilet.zan.kz. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  50. "Kenya: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  51. "Lebanon's Animal Welfare Law". legallaw.ul.edu.lb.
  52. "Animal welfare law in Lebanon". animalslebanon.org.
  53. "Malaysia: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  54. Thaufeeq, Shazma (3 December 2025). "President ratifies bill guaranteeing greater protection for animals".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  55. "Mali Penal Code" (PDF).
  56. "THE ANIMAL WELFARE ACT 2013" (PDF). Retrieved 6 May 2020.[ permanent dead link ]
  57. "Mexico | World Animal Protection". api.worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  58. "Mongolia update Legislative Developments" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 October 2019. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  59. "Morocco: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  60. "Dog meat Sausage Scandal Grips Morocco as Owners Fight Law Banning Aggressive Breeds". 5 May 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  61. "Myanmar | World Animal Protection". api.worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  62. "New Zealand: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  63. "Netherlands | World Animal Protection". api.worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  64. "Niger: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  65. "The Criminal Law of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (2009" (PDF). Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  66. "Noway - Cruelty - Norwegian Animal Welfare Act (2010) | Animal Legal & Historical Center". www.animallaw.info. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  67. "Pakistan: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  68. EL CONGRESO DE LA NACION PARAGUAYA SANCIONA CON FUERZA DE LEY. "LEY Nº 4840 DE PROTECCION Y BIENESTAR ANIMAL" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 November 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  69. "Peru | World Animal Protection". api.worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  70. "RA 8485". lawphil.net. Arellano Law Foundation. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  71. "Philippines | World Animal Protection". api.worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 31 October 2019.
  72. "Poland: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  73. "Romania | World Animal Protection". api.worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  74. "Russia: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  75. "MEWA Prohibits 8 Practices of Animal Cruelty in Saudi Arabia". www.mewa.gov.sa. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
  76. "Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act". Seychelles Legal Information Institute. Archived from the original on 5 March 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2020.
  77. "South Africa | World Animal Protection". api.worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  78. "Korea | World Animal Protection". api.worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  79. "Spain | World Animal Protection". api.worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  80. "Sweden: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  81. "Switzerland: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  82. "Tanzania: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  83. "Thailand | World Animal Protection". api.worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  84. "Turkey | World Animal Protection". api.worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  85. "Ukraine: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  86. "United Kingdom: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  87. "USA | World Animal Protection". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  88. "Uruguay | World Animal Protection". api.worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  89. "Venezuela | World Animal Protection". api.worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  90. "Vietnam: country profile". Worldanimalprotection.org. Retrieved 29 January 2019.