From Hamodia staff
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Belgium’s ban on non-stunning animal slaughter does not interfere with religious freedom and does not constitute discrimination.
The decision was handed down by a court in Strasbourg, France, on Tuesday in response to a petition filed by Muslim groups challenging a ban imposed in 2019 in two of Belgium’s three regions. be. This judgment is final, as the Strasbourg Court has the highest authority to review such prohibitions.
These bans have been opposed by Belgium’s Jewish and Muslim communities, who view them as unwarranted restrictions on religious practice. The ban is aimed at addressing concerns about the cruelty of slaughter without stunning, but has been met with resistance.defender of Shechita They argue that if done properly, the method does not cause undue suffering to the animals. Similarly, defenders of Muslim variants divihamakes the same argument.
Following the publication of the European Court of Justice’s judgment, Rabbi Pinchas Goldschmidt, Chief Rabbi and President of the European Rabbinical Conference, issued a scathing response:
“Today is a dark day for Europe. The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that animal rights outweigh human rights.
“The decision of the Strasbourg court was disappointing but not unexpected. The European Rabbinical Conference has consistently opposed participation in proceedings before the European Court of Justice. Our position is that this issue It was held that it should remain under the jurisdiction of Strasbourg and should not have been brought to Strasbourg.
“We are determined to continue to work with Europe’s Jewish and Muslim communities and to continue fighting for religious freedom and equality in Europe. This task has become even more difficult.”