The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) concluded that the ban on kosher slaughter of livestock introduced in EU countries "does not violate the European Convention on Human Rights." This is stated in the court's ruling.
A collective lawsuit was filed by representatives of the Muslim and Jewish communities in Belgium after a ban on the slaughter of animals without prior stunning was introduced in two regions of the country — Flanders and Wallonia. The religious communities sharply condemned this decision, emphasizing that the practice of stunning before slaughter contradicts both Jewish and Islamic laws.
However, the court upheld the position of Belgian lawmakers. The ECtHR found no violations of the rights to freedom of religion and discrimination, noting that the protection of public morality must take into account the interests of animals.
The court stated that the requirement for stunning livestock before slaughter is based on scientific consensus and is the best way to reduce animal suffering.
Religious communities express the opinion that it will now be more difficult for Jews and Muslims in Europe to find kosher and halal meat, which, in turn, will lead to an increase in prices for it.
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