UK Court Rules Ethical Veganism Is A Protected Belief After Vegan Employee Is Fired

A British judge has ruled that ethical veganism is a philosophical belief and will be protected under anti-discrimination laws.

The ruling came about as part of an employment tribunal that was being heard in Norwich, Eastern England, between Jordi Casamitjana and his former employers, The League Against Cruel Sports (a group that campaigns against blood sports like recreational hunting).

Spanish-born Casamitjana, 55, says he was fired from the organisation for raising concerns about its pension funds alleged investment in companies that are involved in animal testing. He claims that he was unfairly disciplined for bringing this to light and his dismissal, therefore, was due to his vegan beliefs.

The League Against Cruel Sports, however, maintains that Casamitjana was let go because of gross misconduct.

Following the judge’s decision, the employment tribunal will go on to determine whether the League Against Cruel Sports treated Casamitjana unfairly due to his belief in ethical veganism. Britain's 2010 Equality Act says a "philosophical belief" must be genuine "and not an opinion or viewpoint based on the present state of information available".

To be protected under the act, a belief must meet certain tests, including being worthy of respect in a democratic society, not being incompatible with human dignity and not conflicting with the fundamental rights of others.

Casamitjana says the decision will help grow the vegan movement. "Vegans that might be afraid about talking about their belief, that might be feeling that they are not welcome, they will feel empowered now," he told reporters. “Hopefully, from my dismissal, something positive will come by ensuring other ethical vegans are better protected in the future,” he said in a statement after the ruling was made public.

_{*Feature image courtesy AFP}

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