Rabbi Namdar of Chabad of Sweden.
A Swedish appellate court has upheld the right for Chabad-Lubavitch representatives to homeschool their children in accordance with their religious faith, overturning a previous Swedish law that prohibits religion as a motive for homeschooling.
The case originated with last year when Gothenburg city authorities began fining the Namdar family until they enrolled their children in Swedish public schools.
In a nine-page unanimous verdict,?the court ruled that the ?government is deciding that the recent change to the law [that religion is not regarded as a valid reason] cannot stand in contravention to Sweden?s international obligation.?
?I?m grateful to G-d for the insight and sensitivity of the judges,? said Rabbi Alexander Namdar.
In a statement responding to the ruling, Chabad-Lubavitch Executive Director Rabbi Yehuda Krinsky also praised the decision:??The court?s decision, confirming that Sweden will uphold the fundamental values of religious freedom and human rights of citizens, could have far-reaching ramifications. It is?a manifestation of the responsibility of government to protect and cherish these values so vital to life and society.?
According to a Swedish politician behind the original law, the law was created to protect immigrant children who were being denied an education by their family for religious reason.
Source: http://www.algemeiner.com/2012/10/22/swedish-court-upholds-religious-freedom-in-chabad-case/
No comments:
Post a Comment