Science has now absolutely recognised the fact that cetaceans are intelligent beings and have drawn up a bill of rights asking for them to be recognised as non-human persons.
Philosopher Thomas White said: ‘Scientific evidence is now strong enough to support the claim that dolphins are, like humans, self-aware, intelligent beings with emotions and personalities.
'Accordingly, dolphins should be regarded as “non-human persons” and valued as individuals. From an ethical perspective, the injury, deaths and captivity of dolphins are wrong.’
Those who drew up the bill of rights are known as the Helsinki Group and include UK members of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society.
They say that thanks to advances in science, it is clear that dolphins are extremely intelligent, complex and sensitive mammals.
The bill of rights states that every individual member of the cetacean order – whales, dolphins and porpoises – has a right to life.

It also says that no one has the right to own the creatures or to do anything that undermines their rights, freedoms or norms.
Its authors are using the AAAS Vancouver conference (2012) to try to get more scientists and members of the public on their side. They believe this is a step towards eventually persuading governments to enshrine the principles in law.
We, the signers believe that it is time to halt all killing and capturing of Cetaceans and request that the IWC commit to this.

Please can you also visit this link and sign the bill for cetacean rights!! thanks.
http://www.cetaceanrights.org/