EU’s top human rights court backs Belgium’s halal slaughter ban

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has affirmed the decision of two Belgian regions to ban the practice of Islamic halal slaughter without stunning.

Members of religious communities and several non-governmental organizations filed a case with the ECtHR, arguing that the rulings violated their right to freedom of religion and were a form of discrimination.

The ECtHR is charged with ruling on violations of the European Convention on Human Rights, ratified by 46 countries. Studies have shown that halal slaughter protects consumers from many diseases which are not possible in the conventional methods used in many countries.