Ombudsman challenges 'ritual slaughter' ban

Irena Lipowicz. Photo: rpo.gov.pl

“Ritual slaughter, when performed at an abbatoir by trained butchers for the exclusive needs of local religious communities, and which does not take place on a massive scale, but only seeks to meet the needs of a particular religious community, is constitutionally permissible,” Irena Lipowicz argued in a statement.

The slaughter of animals without prior stunning was made illegal from 1 January 2013.

Animal rights activists had lobbied for the matter to be taken to Poland's Constitutional Court, which duly ruled that the practice was illegal.

Lipowicz's challenge to the court follows that of Poland's Union of Jewish Religious Communities (ZGWZ), which lodged its own complaint in August 2013.

The case is due to be reviewed by the court on 3 December, and Poland's Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich has welcomed the Omsbudsman's stance.

Schudrich told the Polish Press Agency that Lipowicz's complaint is “correct and valid.”

The union has argued that the ban contradicts laws on the freedoms of religious minorities. (nh)

Source: PAP