Belgian constitutional amendment considers animals "Conscious beings"

Brussels, 4 May / WAM / The Belgian Parliament officially recognized the protection of animal rights in the country’s constitution, which considers animals as “sentient beings” and not just property.

Belgium is the sixth EU member state to grant constitutional protection to animals, after Germany, Slovenia, Luxembourg, Italy and Austria. .

The Belgian Parliament approved a draft law enshrining animal welfare in the constitution. The state, communities and federal districts will now be required to “ensure the protection and well-being of animals as sentient beings.”

The constitutional amendment builds on the amendment to the Belgian Civil Code in 2020, which recognizes animals as sentient beings and not mere property. Parliament discussed the draft law in Brussels, and its supporters said that the constitutional article would provide clear guidelines on animal welfare.

Many representatives welcomed the success of the bill.

The same survey showed that 90% of Belgians consider animals to be sentient beings worthy of respect. “.

The Belgian Senate, for its part, had already approved the text and required a special two-thirds majority in the parliamentary vote to pass it. The draft resolution was adopted by a majority of 70 votes to 23, with 29 abstentions…

Pro/Wam