Ester Herlin-Karnell & Matilda Arvidsson (eds.)

Animal Rights: The Role of the EU Charter

Year of Publication: 2025

ISBN Print: 978-3-565049-23-3

The EU Charter of Fundamental Rights currently does not explicitly mention animals. The Charter emerges from a rights-based tradition that places the human at its centre, setting it apart from and above non-human animals, as well as the environment, which conditions human existence. While scholars divide on questions of human exceptionalism, the necessity of anthropocentrism in rights-based approaches and jurisprudence, and related questions, this edited volume takes the Charter at face value, asking about human-animal relations under EU law: Are fundamental values of dignity, freedom, equality, solidarity and justice for humans only, or are some or several aspects of those values already extended to non-humans? Should the EU Charter include specific and codified rights for animals, too?

As with all our Verfassungsbooks, the digital edition is Open Access. A print copy can be ordered at your local bookstore or from major online retailers, with worldwide delivery available.

“This is a fascinating collection, bringing established animal law scholars together with esteemed scholars who have not written about animal law before. As a result, the book manages to produce interesting and fresh perspectives on the legal status of animals.”

– Visa A. J. Kurki, University of Helsinki

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
Grant Agreement No. 101143236.