Does Religious Freedom Trump Animal Welfare?
The European Court of Human Rights recently ruled that laws requiring prior stunning of animals before they are slaughtered restrict the religious freedom of Jews and Muslims. It also found, however, that protecting the welfare of animals is part of the legitimate government objective of protecting public morals.
MELBOURNE – Last month, the European Court of Human Rights decided a case, The Executive Committee of Muslims of Belgium and Others v. Belgium, that required balancing religious freedom and animal welfare.