Strasbourg, France, Mar 13, 2020 / 13:12 pm
The European Court of Human Rights has declined to hear the case of two Swedish nurses denied midwife jobs because of their refusal to perform abortions.
"We are very disappointed by the Court's decision not to take up the cases of Ms. Grimmark and Ms. Steen. A positive judgment from the Court would have been an important step in the protection of the right to freedom of conscience," said Robert Clarke, Deputy Director of Alliance Defending Freedom International.
The court, based in Strasbourg, France, declined to hear their cases March 12.
"Medical professionals should be able to work without being forced to choose between their deeply held convictions and their careers. Although freedom of conscience is protected as a fundamental right in almost every other European country, the decision today marks a missed opportunity to uphold this important protection in Sweden," Clarke continued.