A Danish court has ruled that a school that refused to provide a plant-based meal to a vegan child discriminated against her freedom of thought and expression.
A lower court in Hjoring has ruled that vegans are protected by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
In its ruling, the court said vegans have the right “not to be treated worse than other non-convicted vegans in similar or comparable circumstances.”
Veganism protected by law
The Danish Vegetarian Association filed a lawsuit on behalf of young children who were denied the right to eat plant-based foods from kindergarten.
Not only did the kindergarten refuse to serve vegan food, but they also did not allow the girl to bring her own lunch. Therefore, they discriminated against families by denying them the opportunity to practice their way of life.
The judgment cited Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights. It begins with the following: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.”
This right corresponds to Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
More cases will occur in the future
The court awarded the family symbolic compensation of approximately 1,500 euros (approximately $1,616 USD), plus legal costs and fees.
But the impact of this ruling could be even greater. Importantly, the bill establishes a precedent that vegans cannot be discriminated against under European human rights law.
“It should be noted that, like other European countries, Danish courts must follow the European Court of Human Rights,” said Rune Christopher Dragsdal, secretary general of the Danish Vegetarian Association.
“We therefore hope that this victory in Denmark, based on the Danish court’s interpretation of the ECHR, will help or encourage vegans in other countries.”
In April, another court in Denmark is scheduled to hear a separate case brought by the Danish Vegetarian Association. The case involves a woman who was denied a plant-based diet at the hospital during her pregnancy.