International Animal Rights Day 2021 - October 10

The annual International Animal Rights Day (IARD) – 10th December – aims to remember the animal victims of human tyranny and call for the recognition of our Universal Declaration of Animal Rights (UDAR). The goal of this historic campaign is to build on the recognition of human rights, and persuade humanity that kindness and respect are due to all sentient creatures. Click here to find out how what you can do to support International Animal Rights Day. Thousands of animal rights supporters across the world hold candlelit vigils and other inspiring events to mark the 13th annual IARD. Ethical pioneers united to remember the billions of animals subjected to deliberate cruelty and killing across the world every year. This coordinated global day of action has intensified calls for the recognition of the rights of all sentient beings to life, liberty, and natural enjoyment.

International Animal Rights Day Manifesto 2012

On December 10, 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to prevent World War II and the concentration camps' horrors from being repeated. Only by recognising every human's fundamental rights without concession, could there be any chance of an end to similar tragedies. Thus, the United Nations declared that respect and dignity for human beings are “the foundations for freedom, justice, and peace in the world.” Some years ago, individuals, organisations, and associations from all over the world demanded that this should be extended to the other animals with which we share the planet and that December 10 should also be International Animal Rights Day. Humans are also animals, but billions of other sentient beings - capable of feeling and thinking like us - become our victims every year as a result of the species they belong to. The billions of cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, fishes, rabbits, goats, rats, mice, horses, donkeys, camels, dogs, cats, ducks, turkeys, geese, and sea creatures suffer and die at our hands every year. This day is an opportunity to remind society that freedom, justice, and dignity are inclusive terms since suffering and the desire to live is not confined to a particular race, sex, social position... or species. In 1970, 22 years after the Declaration of Human Rights by the UN, and more than three decades ago, the term speciesism was coined in order to talk about discrimination of sentient beings due to the species they belong to. Thinking that other animals are inferior and we can use them solely because they were born with fur or feathers is an irrational and unfair prejudice towards other species. Speciesism overlooks our sameness - sentience - and as with racism and sexism, those without power suffer so that someone else can gain. A sentient animal is one for whom feelings matter Professor John Webster, University of Bristol.

What you can do

In 2021 the date for annual International Animal Rights Day October 10th. Use the hashtags #animalrights #vegan #govegan #animalliberation #animals #veganism #animallovers #veganfortheanimals #crueltyfree #animallover #vegansofig #friendsnotfood #peta #plantbased #animal #veganlife #animalrescue #compassion #adoptdontshop #love #animalwelfare #animalrightsactivist #vegansofinstagram #wildlife #animalcruelty #vegancommunity #dogs #veganfood #earthlings to raise awareness for this special day.