![]() Apparently, wearing a cross is a manifestation of Christian beliefs, whereas distributing leaflets to troops in an attempt to dissuade them from serving in Ireland is not a manifestation of pacifist beliefs. ![]() Footnote 3 Nor will it be so obvious what is a ‘manifestation’ of such a belief. First, although these laws protect both freedom of religion and freedom of belief (or the lack of it), something which qualifies as a religion is likely to qualify for protection automatically, whereas a non-religious belief system may have to reach such a level of seriousness and coherence as to merit the law's protection. The courts, both here and in Strasbourg, have developed some well-known principles in applying those rights. Finally, the Equality Act 2010 protects against discrimination by public or private suppliers of employment, education, accommodation, goods and services on account of their religion or belief (or lack of it). Thus families are supposed to be free to bring their children up in their own religious beliefs, a right reinforced by Article 2 of the First Protocol in relation to the right to education.Īrticle 14 of the Convention protects against discrimination in the exercise of any of the fundamental rights protected by the Convention on account of religion or belief. Also significant in protecting religious freedom is Article 8, which gives positive protection to the right to respect for private and family life and prohibits the state from interfering. Article 10 protects freedom of expression and Article 11 protects freedom of assembly and association, both of which are important aspects of exercising religious freedom. Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, given legal force in the United Kingdom by the Human Rights Act 1998, protects both freedom of religion and belief and the freedom to manifest those beliefs, in worship, teaching, practice and observance. Talking about freedom of religion used to be relatively straightforward. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |