In a decision that has upset both Muslim and Jewish communities, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) in Belgium has confirmed the ban on halal slaughter in Brussels.
Jewish and Muslim organizations had filed a lawsuit in March to challenge the halal slaughter ban, claiming it infringed on religious freedom. However, the court upheld the ban and declined to review the decision, citing “no justification for reviewing the decision.”
Michel Vandenbosch, the president of the animal rights organization GAIA, mentioned that the European Court of Human Rights reaffirmed its ruling from February 13, asserting that the prohibition of halal slaughter does not breach religious freedom.
Currently, halal slaughter following Islamic law and kosher slaughter following Jewish law are only allowed in Brussels, as these practices were banned in the Walloon and Flemish regions of Belgium in 2017.
Under a recently introduced law, authorities mandate that animals be stunned before slaughter, which goes against both Islamic and Jewish religious guidelines.
Mohammed Ostun, the head of the Executive Committee of Muslims in Belgium, indicated that Belgian Muslims might turn to the Netherlands and Denmark, where halal slaughter remains legal.
