Belgium bans halal and kosher slaughter methods citing cruelty, draws criticism from religious factions
The ban was first imposed on the northern region of Flanders and then the southern region of Wallonia in September.
A Belgian region has banned halal and kosher slaughter unless the animals are stunned before they are killed, according to reports. The move has been slammed by critics who say the decision violates freedom of religion. Muslim halal and Jewish kosher rituals require that butchers slaughter the animals by slitting their throat and draining the blood.
The ban was first imposed on the northern region of Flanders and then the southern region of Wallonia in September. The European Jewish Congress had reportedly slammed the law when it was proposed, deeming it as "the greatest assault on Jewish religious rights since Nazi occupation."