By Adebukola Fadipe
A landmark ruling, in a case that took two years to conclude, has said that veganism is a philosophical belief that is protected under the Equality Act 2010. How can this case be compared to other groups – who haven’t chosen their lifestyles – who waited more than 700 years for similar acts to be passed?
With Greggs launching their vegan steak bakes, more food companies delving into vegan menus, the Golden Globe having only a vegan menu and now man who doesn’t ride buses as not to squash insects – winning a landmark ruling on vegans – is the world taking the vegan movement too far?
In 1975, the first equality act was passed: the Sex Discrimination Act. Since then, several discrimination acts have been bought into law under the umbrella of the Equality Act 2010. Whilst such acts as the Relation Act and the Disability Act took over 700 years to enact – ever since the Magna Carta came into effect in 1215, this landmark ruling for vegans took less than three years.
Jordi Casamitjana 55, took his former employer, the League Against Cruel Sports, to an employment tribunal. He was fired from his job after he told his fellow employees that bosses had invested their pension funds into firms that were heavily involved in animal testing.
Casamitjana’s solicitor said that ethical veganism was “a philosophical belief held by a significant portion of the population in the UK and around the world” which explained why he felt the need to tell his colleagues – the majority of whom were vegan – where their pension fund was being invested.
A devout vegan, Casamitjana doesn’t wear wool or leather, and doesn’t take part in anything that may or may inadvertently bring harm to animals. “This case has the capacity to improve the recognition of ethical veganism as a coherent, developed and increasingly well supported philosophy, and also to confirm that the needs of vegans in their employment and their everyday lives must be taken seriously,” he said as part of his CrowdJustice.com campaign.
Speaking at a recent event on vegan fashion, animal rights freelancer and fellow vegan Bel Jacobs said, “It’s important to focus on all aspects of vegan fashion and it defeats the purpose of vegan fashion if someone doesn’t.”
Judge Robin Postle ruled that ethical veganism qualifies as a philosophical belief under the Equality Act 2010 after he felt “satisfied overwhelmingly that [ethical veganism] constitutes a philosophical belief and is a new protected characteristic”.
This ruling has set the grounds for Casamitjana to take his employers to court over unlawful dismissal.
Many people seem to agree with Casamitjana’s plight as he has raised over £8,000 for his court case since his dismissal.
Is this a sign of the world going mad – or just a sign that we are becoming more aware of various characteristics that should be protected?
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