All Sentient Beings Have Rights

There is no higher moral code than The Golden Rule.

It is evident that all sentient beings are equal insofar as they seek pleasure over pain, comfort over duress, safety over threat or fear, and freedom over imprisonment.

The recognition of these common attributes morally necessitates that those able to discern them should treat others who possess them in ways that avoid their imprisonment, or causing them pain, duress, or fear, in recognition of the harmful emotional and physical experience of those detriments.

The ability to recognize pain, duress, and fear in others carries with it an unavoidable moral obligation to not harm or imprison others capable of pain, duress, or fear.

Thus, those capable of experiencing pain, duress, or fear have the right to live their lives free of imprisonment and free of pain, duress, or fear, caused by those capable of recognizing those detriments in others.