New Debate in Turkey: Can Animals and Humans Get Along?
Man, as a kind of animal, cannot destroy other animals, cannot exploit them in violation of this right, but has a duty to put his knowledge at the service of animals
The most important feature that distinguishes animals and humans is the ability to ‘think with reason’. This feature is only in human beings. When this feature is removed, we are no different from animals. It is very important to be human and most importantly to remain human in this geography. The most important thing that makes people human is to be virtuous and to live with these virtues. So what is virtue then?
Virtue; We can say that it is the combination of all the good habits of human beings. A good person and the communities in which they are in the majority are compassionate, knowledgeable, respectful of human rights, respectful of nature and all its blessings, compassionate towards all living things and all the good attributes we can think of. For this reason, the world has prepared a declaration for animals and the leading countries have signed this declaration.
‘Article 1- All animals are born equal before life and have the same right to exist.
Article 2-
1. All animals have the right to respect.
2. Man, as a kind of animal, cannot destroy other animals, cannot exploit them in violation of this right, but has a duty to put his knowledge at the service of animals.’
Sensitivity and love for animals develops empathy in people. This contributes to the upbringing of more understanding and helpful individuals in social relations. Positive relationships with animals increase the emotional and spiritual well-being of people. Well, let's take a look at what we are doing about this issue in our country. In the General Assembly of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (GNAT), the negotiations for the regulation on the Law Proposal on the Amendment of the Law on the Protection of Animals were completed and passed the parliament with a majority of votes. The motions submitted by the opposition were rejected. The first 5 articles include the repeal of the statement ‘The lives of stray animals should be supported just like owned animals’, the housing of rehabilitated dogs in animal care homes until they are adopted, and the killing of stray dogs according to the principles in the Veterinary Services Law.
The word ‘euthanasia’ was removed from the text with the amendment made in Article 5 of the bill, which caused the most controversy. Now the new law is in force. Unfortunately, I cannot say that this law has been meticulously worked on and prepared and enacted in a perfect way. As a citizen, I demand that all lawmakers think about this issue once again and make the necessary arrangements, as this issue is deeply related to the qualities of human beings to be human.
