ANIMAL RIGHTS DAY

Have you ever seen an animal while walking on the street? Have you ever thought,
what if this animal could talk? Have you ever wonder, do animals also have the same rights
as humans do? I am Anugrah Putri Indahsari Tria Meiliana and in this video i'll deliver a
speech about animal rights.
Just like human beings, animals also have rights. Animal rights is the idea that basic
animal rights should be considered on an equal footing with basic human rights. For
centuries, the idea of animal rights has persisted, particularly within Eastern religions like
Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism. These belief systems embrace the core principle of
ahiṃ sā, or non-violence, which extends to all living creatures. Jainism, in particular, places
great emphasis on practicing kindness and compassion towards animals, with followers being
forbidden from engaging in activities that cause harm, such as working in zoos, cutting down
trees, or using materials like silk that involve the exploitation of living beings.
The animal rights movement did not have a single individual as its initiator, although
there were notable influential figures. Despite women being the majority of animal rights
activists and generally less supportive of animal exploitation compared to men, the
recognition for pioneering the animal rights movement is mostly attributed to men. One
prominent figure in recent history is Richard Ryder, who in 1970 introduced the term
"speciesism" to depict the human bias or prejudice against other species, contributing
significantly to the cause. Animal Rights Day is celebrated on October 15 every year,
coinciding with the release of the Universal Declaration of Animal Rights made in 1978 by
UNESCO.
Countless animals endure unimaginable suffering in laboratories for experimentation
and in places like zoos and circuses where they are exploited for entertainment. They are
subjected to appalling conditions, often culminating in their agonizing deaths.
It is imperative to prohibit animal experiments entirely. Breeding and selling animals
should be forbidden. Their lives should not be sacrificed for the sake of food, medicine, or
clothing. The utilization of animals such as donkeys and elephants for labor should be
terminated. Hunting animals for sport must come to an end. The practice of exploiting them
for amusement in zoos, circuses, and other venues should be abolished.
We should acknowledge that humans and mammal animals share many similarities,
including complex biology, consciousness, and awareness. They possess an understanding of
their circumstances, exhibit preferences and aversions, and make conscious choices. The
quality and duration of their lives hold significance to them, just as it does for us. Therefore,
when contemplating inflicting harm upon them, we must recognize that we are causing harm
to beings deserving of the right to live in peace.
Animals are not here on Earth to serve as slaves to humans or cater to our needs. We
all exist with the same purpose: survival. It is ethically and morally wrong to inflict harm
upon them. Like us, animals have their own families, engage in social interactions, and
experience pain and sorrow when they lose a family member or member of their herd.
Let us try to view things from their perspective. Even if we adopt or acquire animals,
we should not treat them as mere servants. Instead, we should embrace them as part of our
family and treat them with respect. Offer them love, nourishing food, and suitable shelter.
Refrain from disturbing the natural habitats of forest-dwelling animals, for they are designed
to live there and may not survive elsewhere. Even if they do survive, they will lead lives
filled with misery. Thus, let compassion and moral ethics guide our actions.
The time has come to address these issues urgently, as numerous animals face
endangerment and extinction due to human activities. Just because they lack the ability to
communicate and react as humans, do does not mean they are impervious to the pain caused
by our cruelty. Like us, they experience emotions, pain, and a need for social interaction.
We must do our utmost to refrain from harming them and ensure they receive the
peace and right to life they deserve. Every animal, regardless of species, possesses rights that
demand our respect and protection.