Protect The Harvest | Fresno Zoo Triumphant: California Court Upholds Habeas Corpus as a Human Right

The May 18th, 2023, ruling from California’s 5th District Appellate Court was a momentous victory for the Fresno Zoo, affirming its commitment to animal welfare and debunking misconceptions surrounding the application of Habeas Corpus to non-human entities. This decision affirms prior court decisions on why Habeas Corpus is justly and correctly considered a human right, and why that right does not belong to animals.

Habeas Corpus and Human Rights

Habeas Corpus is a fundamental principle rooted in the protection of human liberty. Its purpose is to safeguard individuals from unlawful detention, ensuring the right to challenge the legality of their confinement before a court of law. This essential human right acknowledges our shared capacity for self-awareness, rationality, and autonomy, which are unique to the human experience.

Differentiating Animals from Humans

While we should strive to protect the welfare of animals, it is crucial to recognize that the legal concept of Habeas Corpus is based on the recognition of human rights. The distinction between humans and animals lies in our ability to possess self-consciousness, exercise moral agency – making choices based upon right and wrong – and participate in social, cultural, and political spheres.