To: Joaquín Alexander Maza Martelli, President of the UN Human Rights Council

One million signatures for animal rights at the United Nations

Ask the UN to include animal rights in its Universal Periodic Review.

Why is this important?

The United Nations regularly holds a Universal Periodic Review (UPR) in which it reviews the human rights record of nations across the world. While the UPR has expanded to include violence based on nationality, gender identity, and sexual orientation, animals continue to be completely ignored. This neglect occurs despite the trillions of individual animals - including entire species - who are being exterminated across the globe.

The Compassionate City Campaign lays out a bold vision for cities within the UN to enshrine the right of all sentient beings to live free from violence. We are calling on the UN Human Rights Council to include animal rights -- and the goal of gradually creating a truly compassionate vegan city -- in its covenant on civil and political rights at its next UPR. By setting out this vision today, the United Nations will lay the groundwork for achieving an end to institutionalized animal exploitation worldwide in one generation.