Pacific Indigenous leaders from the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Aotearoa (New Zealand), and Tonga have officially recognized whales and dolphins as “legal persons” in a new treaty.
About Legal Person:
- A “legal person” refers to an entity recognized by law that can either be human or non-human. This recognition allows them to partake in legal activities typically reserved for humans.
- These entities are now capable of performing legal actions such as filing lawsuits, being sued, owning property, and signing contracts.
- Similar to business entities like corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies, whales and dolphins now enjoy legal personhood.
- This separates their legal identity from any individuals or groups representing them.
- With legal personhood, these marine creatures are granted constitutional rights, which include protections such as due process and equal protection under the law.
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