Christian party discriminates against women

A Dutch court on Thursday ruled that the orthodox Protestant party SGP does discriminate against women because it does not allow them to stand for political office.


The party, which has two MPs, bases its position on a strict interpretation of the Bible.
The court said that the right to equal treatment is more important than the right to religious freedom.
The case was brought by a group of feminists and trade unionists. The SGP is to appeal.
The government stopped funding the party two years ago because of its stand on women. But earlier this month it was ordered to resume payments by the council of state, the country’s highest administrative court.
This court ruling does not affect that position.

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