EU Court Finds Switzerland Violated Vegan Prisoners’ ‘Freedom Of Conscience’

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) found that Switzerland violated the "freedom of conscience" of two vegan prisoners by failing to provide them with entirely plant-based meals that aligned with their ethical beliefs. The court ruled that Switzerland must pay compensation for moral damages and legal costs, as well as review its procedures for assessing dietary requests in the future. The prisoners, who are anti-speciesism activists, were initially denied vegan meals while in custody in Swiss detention facilities.

The ECHR's ruling emphasized the importance of respecting vegan convictions as protected beliefs under human rights law. In the UK, the recognition of ethical veganism as a protected human right has led to prison kitchens accommodating belief-based vegan diets, reflecting a growing acceptance of veganism as a legitimate ethical stance. The updated Food in Prisons Policy Framework in the UK acknowledges ethical veganism as a protected human right under the Equality Act, highlighting the importance of accommodating vegan diets in institutional settings.