Gaza Genocide continues without respite, the EU countries have better norms for taking care of animals in Europe, the situation is no different in United States or United Kingdom. At the same time the total callousness and insensitivity to role of time in the abhorrent situation in Gaza is despicable. The situation is Gaza is treated with same disinterest that’s shown to an old newspaper. The only institutions supposed to stand for justice and equality among UN Member States is proving that global governance is just Global Colonialism in a different form, where the institutes supposed to deliver justice have been ensured to be unjust from the time of their conception, a real illustration of global apartheid initiated, sustained and maintained by the False Global Democracy United States of America and the Genocidal apartheid democracy, which American, British, and German media are creating a narrative to convert it into a Just, True and Moral one. Israel’s supporters in Western Member States, United States and Germany along with Western media are openly acknowledging complicity in genocide and war crimes, they are doing it with Arrogant Pride.
The consideration given by Western countries to animals is far above that given to Palestinian lives can be seen in their legal frame to protect animals. EU countries have better “enforced” norms for taking care of animals in Europe than for ensuring any form of justice for Palestinians in Gaza.
a) Europe’s love for Animal’s Rights:
Incorporated into the EU Animal Welfare of Council’s Decision 78/923/EEC are five freedoms, this approach is largely taken from United Kingdom’s provision for animal care. The five freedoms are:
1. Freedom from hunger and thirst.
2. Freedom from discomfort.
3. Freedom from pain, injury and diseases.
4. Freedom to express normal behaviour.
5. Freedom from fear and distress.
Lisbon Treaty (2009) was amended as Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) and it introduced the recognition that animals are sentient beings. As per Article 13 of Title II, “…the Union Member States shall, since animals are sentient beings, pay full regard to the welfare requirements of animals…” [1].
b) United Kingdom’s love for animals
In United Kingdom Animal Welfare Act (2006) is the principal law relating to animals, protecting all vertebrate animals. Under the Act, owners and keepers have a duty to provide or ensure:
1. suitable environment and place to live
2. suitable diet
3. space for animals to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
4. space to be housed with, or apart from, other animals (if applicable)
5. they are protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease.
The Act prohibits animal cruelty which includes: causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, mutilation and poisoning an animal. Punishment for not complying with the law include unlimited fine and being imprisoned up to five years [2].
c) American love for animals
United States has similar provisions for animals, what needs to be highlighted here is specific provision under USCODE; 18 USC 48: Depiction of Animal Cruelty. According to provision under section (a):
· “Creation, Sale or Possession – whoever knowingly creates, sells or possess a depiction of animal cruelty with the intention of placing that depiction in interstate or foreign commerce for commercial gain, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 5 years or both.
Under Section ( c) Definitions, under which terms used are elaborated on, as per which (1) the term “depiction of animal cruelty” means any visual or auditory depiction, including any photographs, motion-picture film, video recording, electronic image, or sound recording of conduct in which a living animal is intentionally maimed, mutilated, tortured, wounded, or killed, if such conduct is illegal, under Federal law, or the law of the State in which the creation, sale or possession takes place, regardless of whether the maiming, mutilation, torture, wounding, or killing took place in the State;… In the United States acts of cruelty against animals in punished as per State laws, cruelty against animals include different acts, one of which is leaving animals in dangerous conditions, e.g. In hot or cold cars. Cruelty to animals is also a crime under Federal law, PACT Act. It is a federal crime to intentionally engage in animal crushing, animal torture or depiction of such acts.
These regulations under American domestic laws are relevant with regard to blatant sharing of acts of crime and acts of anti-humanity by Israeli soldiers and criminal role of tech industry in ensuring digital transfer, which means tech industry has to held accountable along with the soldiers responsible for the crimes. The representations of these acts are shared to dehumanize Palestinians, assert the sense of impunity enjoyed by Israel and Israelis and most of all Israel, besides Israelis see these visual representations as symbol of moral achievements.
My question to the international
community, especially enlightened Western Member States, Is it possible to
consider Palestinians as “Sentient Beings” and ensure Justice is delivered?
Molly Charles
Reference
1. Simonin D. & Gavinelli A. “The European Union Legislation on animal welfare: state of play, enforcement and future activities”, In Hild.S & Schweitzer L. (Eds), Animal Welfare: From Science to Law, 2019, pp.59-70.
2. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/animal-welfare
3. https://www.goveinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2009-title18-partI-chap3-sec48.htm
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