The Netherlands' Parliament Passes Bill Banning Kosher Slaughter
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/ju ... -slaughter
The Netherlands' parliament has passed a bill banning any slaughter of livestock without stunning, removing an exemption that has long allowed orthodox Dutch Jews and Muslims to butcher animals according to their centuries-old dietary rules.
However, the bill must still pass the senate and the government says it may be unenforceable in its current form.
The threat of a ban led to outcry from Jewish and Muslim groups who say it infringes their right to freedom of religion. They argue ritual slaughter done by swiftly cutting animals' throats with a razor-sharp knife is no worse than stunning.
The bill was passed on Tuesday with support from the political left, which sees ritual slaughter as inhumane, and on the right, which sees it as foreign and barbaric.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/ju ... -slaughter
The Netherlands' parliament has passed a bill banning any slaughter of livestock without stunning, removing an exemption that has long allowed orthodox Dutch Jews and Muslims to butcher animals according to their centuries-old dietary rules.
However, the bill must still pass the senate and the government says it may be unenforceable in its current form.
The threat of a ban led to outcry from Jewish and Muslim groups who say it infringes their right to freedom of religion. They argue ritual slaughter done by swiftly cutting animals' throats with a razor-sharp knife is no worse than stunning.
The bill was passed on Tuesday with support from the political left, which sees ritual slaughter as inhumane, and on the right, which sees it as foreign and barbaric.
