Finnish parliamentary committee rejects proposal to include animal rights in constitution

A Finnish citizens’ initiative calling for animal rights to be enshrined in the country’s constitution will not move forward after the Constitutional Law Committee recommended its rejection, reports national broadcaster Yle.

The initiative, backed by over 50,000 signatures, proposed adding a new chapter to the constitution addressing animal rights and banning harmful breeding practices. The campaign was led by the Finnish Association of Animal Rights Lawyers.

The committee argued that equating human and animal rights in a Western constitutional tradition would be problematic, citing unpredictable legal consequences. It noted that the initiative sought to fundamentally alter the legal framework underpinning current regulations.

Two committee members, MPs Fatim Diarra (Green) and Johannes Yrttiaho (Left), filed a dissenting opinion, urging the government to prepare constitutional amendments to strengthen animal protection.