Thread: a Legal Person, irony and contradictory rulings.

I don't think this is political but here goes.

The ABC has reported on a case in Brazil where an orangutan has been given the status of a Non-human person. http://www.abc.net.au/~/captive-orangutan-has-human-right-to-freedom and therefore should be granted the right to freedom, at least freedom within an animal sanctuary.

Also reported in the same article is the contradictory situation in a US court that a (sentient) chimpanzee was ruled not to be a "person" and therefore not entitled to the provisions of habeas corpus. This is the same US of A that considers corporations to be "persons" entitled to the constitutional right to freedom of speech of all US Citizens.

Go figure!

I think the Charleton Heston version was ape racist. All the Gorilas were dumb thugs and the Orangutans were intellectuals. It made the story seem a bit far fetched...
The courts should be doing all they can to combat ape stereotyping. Some..err...one ape is now a non human person with non human person's rights and feelings. Compensation could run into bucket loads of bananas.