Belgian court upholds ban on religious slaughter

• Published date: 30 September 2021
• Author: JEREMY SHARON
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

In its review of the European Court of Justice's decision from December 2002, the Constitutional Court of Belgium stressed in its ruling on Thursday that freedom of thought, conscience and religion was one of the foundations of a democratic society.

It also recognized that the general ban on slaughter without stunning entailed a restriction on freedom of religion of Jews and Muslims who use such methods, and whose religious laws prohibit the consumption of meat of stunned animals.

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However, said the Belgian court, the ban on slaughter without stunning however "responds to a pressing social need and is proportionate to the legitimate objective pursued of promoting animal welfare. Furthermore, the possibility of reversible stunning during ritual slaughter cannot be interpreted as prescribing how a religious rite is to be performed."

The Conference of European Rabbis lamented the decision, but said the ruling was expected.

"While we are disappointed with today's judgment, we...