The European Court of Human Rights has declined to hear the appeals of two Swedish midwives who were denied employment because of their refusal to assist with abortions, concluding that the cases are inadmissible. Hans Linde of the Swedish non-profit sex education organisation RFSU said:
It is not a human right for nursing staff to refuse to provide care. This is an important decision that in the long term will help to protect women’s health, the right to good-quality care and to be treated with respect when seeking an abortion.
The case is the latest in a series of lawsuits around the world over the scope of religious rights at work, from a baker who refused to make a cake with a gay rights message through to clashes over prayer breaks and the wearing of religious symbols.
Two midwives had made clear their refusal to take part in any abortion procedures and were denied employment. One, a newly qualified midwife explained her religious beliefs and that because of them she would be unable to take part in any abortion related procedures. One clinic rejecting her application allegedly questioned: whether a person with such views can actually become a midwife.
In short, all the clinics in Sweden require that their employees do their jobs, including abortions, which in Sweden is recognized as health care. Religious beliefs must be left at the workplace door.
In November 2015, a Swedish court ruled that medical facilities have a right to require employees to fulfill all of their job descriptions, and stated that it was proper for clinics to require midwives to assist with abortions as “the region has an obligation to ensure that women have effective access to abortion.”
So in Sweden we can assume that bakers will have to provide gay wedding cakes; photographers will have to take pictures of two persons of the same sex getting married; party planners will have to plan lesbian parties; no matter how they may object on religious grounds.
Should a person’s religious beliefs allow them to deny service to a group or allow them to refuse to do certain procedures?
When a person takes a job should the employer expect them to carry out the tasks in the job description, regardless of any religious beliefs?
This Style 10/6