Are Chimpanzees People?

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Chimpanzees have been entertaining people around the world for centuries. Whether wearing children's clothes or throwing poop at unsuspecting zoo-goers, we think of them as funny, hairy, little people.

But is a chimp really a "person?" In the case of 26-year-old "Hiasl," animal rights activists in Austria would say yes.

Hiasl's supporters argue he needs that status to become a legal entity that can receive donations and get a guardian to look out for his interests.

"Our main argument is that Hiasl is a person and has basic legal rights," said Eberhart Theuer, a lawyer leading the challenge on behalf of the Association Against Animal Factories, a Vienna animal rights group.

"We mean the right to life, the right to not be tortured, the right to freedom under certain conditions," Theuer said.
Hiasl and another chimp, Rosi, went from being smuggled as babies from Sierra Leone, and brought to Austria to be guinea apes for pharmaceutical testing before being intercepted by customs and brought to a local animal sanctuary, which has since gone bankrupt.

Despite food and veterinary bills of almost $7000 a month, they are unable to accept gifts from donors, due to an Austrian law stating only people can receive personal donations. Therefore, Hiasl's supporters aim to make him a real boy.

Organizers could set up a foundation to collect cash for Hiasl, whose life expectancy in captivity is about 60 years. But without basic rights, they contend, he could be sold to someone outside Austria, where the chimp is protected by strict animal cruelty laws.

"If we can get Hiasl declared a person, he would have the right to own property. Then, if people wanted to donate something to him, he'd have the right to receive it," said Theuer, who has vowed to take the case to the European Court of Human Rights if necessary.
Even legendary ape lady Jane Goodall will be joining the fight, as Hiasl's legal team has her among several expert witnesses for their appeal which is yet to be set.

Austria isn't the only country that's gone ape for apes, as Spain's Parliament is considering endorsement of a bill supporting the Great Ape Project:

...a Seattle-based international initiative to extend "fundamental moral and legal protections" to apes.
Now, couldn't this be dangerous, you ask? Mr. Thueur is quick to assuage any fears of a real-life Planet of the Apes by saying:

"We're not talking about the right to vote here."
Well, Bush got voted in for a second term. Could a chimp do worse?

thefreak, through his unhealthy obsession with monkeys and apes, fully supports this endeavor, and hopes to someday have a chimp as a roommate.

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