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A recent judgment by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) upheld a regional ban on the ritual slaughter of animals without prior stunning in Belgium. The decision, which came after a legal challenge by groups representing various Belgian nationals as well as Muslim and Jewish communities, is an important part of the ongoing debate over religious freedom and animal welfare. It shows progress.
The ban, which came into force in Flanders and Wallonia several years ago, has been criticized by religious groups, who say it infringes on religious freedom. However, the European Commission of Human Rights has decided that the ban on ritual slaughter without stunning is consistent with the aim of protecting animal welfare, which is considered an important element of public morality.
The decision by the ECHR reflects a broader trend across Europe where concerns about animal welfare are prompting legislative action in various countries. In Belgium, a ban on ritual slaughter was introduced following persistent advocacy by animal rights activists.
While the ruling has been welcomed by animal rights advocates, it has also sparked criticism and concern among Muslim and Jewish communities that rely on ritual slaughter practices for halal and kosher meat. There are concerns that such a ban could be exploited by nationalist politicians to drum up anti-immigrant sentiment, especially in the run-up to elections.
The ECHR’s judgment echoes a similar judgment by the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in 2020, which confirmed the ability of member states to enact measures that promote animal welfare, even if they restrict religious practices. The debate over ritual slaughter has spread beyond Belgium and is reverberating across the European Union. Although EU law allows for the exemption of ritual slaughter under certain conditions, there is increasing scrutiny of the methods employed and their impact on animal welfare.
Critics argue that current stunning practices, including the use of high concentrations of carbon dioxide to stunning pigs, are insufficient to ensure humane treatment at slaughter. In particular, calls for a review of EU regulations regarding slaughter practices have gained momentum in recent years.
However, despite discussions about revising animal welfare standards, concrete actions are limited. The European Commission has proposed amendments to strengthen animal protection during transport, but broader reforms addressing slaughter practices have yet to materialize.
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