19/07/2026
For the first time, the European Court of Human Rights has recognized that ethical veganism can be protected under the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
That of course matters because veganism is so often misunderstood.
Many people still think veganism is simply about diet or animal welfare. But for those who are ethical vegans, it is something much more fundamental. It is about how we choose to treat other living beings. It is about respect, compassion, and the commitment—as far as is possible and practicable—not to contribute to exploitation, violence, or unnecessary suffering. This applies not only to what we eat, but also to the products we buy and the general choices we make in our everyday lives.
This judgment does not mean that every restaurant or private business is now required to serve vegan food. What it does mean is, that when the state has responsibility for a person—for example in hospitals, schools, prisons or other public institutions—a sincerely held ethical vegan conviction must be respected.
Hope this decision helps bring more nuance to the public conversation. Veganism is not a trend, a cleanse, or a diet. For many, it is a deeply held ethical conviction about how we should relate to the world and to the living beings with whom we share it.
This is therefore about much more than vegan food. It is a recognition that compassion, conscience, and respect for all living beings are beliefs worthy of protection in a democratic society.
We think that’s something worth celebrating 🌱💚
Source: European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), judgment of July 2026.
