Victory! Court Rules Veganism Is A Legally Protected Belief

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In the UK Jordi Casamitjana has been battling for the right to not be persecuted for being vegan as we previously reported. 

Well, last week the legal tribunal ruled that “Ethical Veganism” was a recognized and protected belief under the law akin to religion.

He was fired by his former employer League Against Cruel Sports for being a whistleblower about their pensions being invested in firms involved in animal testing. He first took his concerns to the higher-ups but after being ignored he addressed the issue with fellow co-workers which is what seems to have been the cause of his dismissal.

The league says he was fired for “gross misconduct” attributed to not following management’s rule of not advising co-workers with financial advice.

In his termination letter the league said he displayed actions that were: 

“biased because of your ethical principles and could influence [other employees] to change their pension arrangement.” 

Judge Robin Postle said in his ruling that he was “satisfied overwhelmingly” that ethical veganism qualifies as a philosophical belief under the Equality Act of 2010. Under the act, “religion or belief” is one of nine “protected characteristics.”

In his summary judgment, Postle said that veganism “clearly in my view meets all the criteria; It is a philosophical belief, not just an opinion.” Peter Daly, Casamitjana’s lawyer, said the recognition of ethical veganism being recognized under the Equality Act would have “potentially significant effects on employment and the workplace, education, transport, and the provision of goods and services.” 

There will be a second portion to this ruling that will see another tribunal hearing that will decide if the League Against Cruel Sports’ firing him was legal treatment or not. Stand by and we will be sure to keep you updated on the latest.