US court rules caged chimpanzees have 'no basic human rights'

Denying basic human rights to chimpanzees, a United States court has said that a chimp need not be freed from captivity by its owner because the right to "freedom" cannot be availed by it.

The Nonhuman Rights Project had argued that chimps, who exhibit such similar characteristics to humans, deserved basic human rights, including freedom and therefore demanded the court that caged chimpanzee Tommy be freed from captivity, reported the BBC.

The court however, said that Tommy cannot be recognised as a "legal person" as it "cannot bear any legal duties".

The rights group has said that it would appeal.