The Directorate of Communication of the Council of Europe has issued a press release entitled “Council of Europe launches manuals on hate speech and wearing religious symbols in public,” which, coincidentally, outlines this post. According to the “Fact sheet on wearing religious symbols in public“:
The European Convention on Human Rights provides that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, which includes freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief in teaching, worship, practice and observance. This freedom should be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of public order, health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
…The manual analyses how the European Convention on Human Rights relates to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. It identifies key concepts of the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights, in particular the principles of respect, individual and community autonomy and non-discrimination. It also examines the role and responsibilities of the state (neutrality, impartiality, fostering pluralism and tolerance, and protecting the rights of others) and those of individuals.
The manual aims to clarify concepts related to the visibility of religions and beliefs in the public sphere and the notion of wearing religious symbols. It also analyses the essential questions policy makers need to ask when addressing issues concerning the wearing of religious symbols. Finally it applies these principles and approaches to the key areas such as state employment, medical services, military settings, public educational institutions, the private sector and the criminal justice system.
Although this fact sheet says “there is no universal definition” of a religious symbol and that “there is no generally agreed understanding of what is meant by public area in the European Convention system,” these handbooks are a big step forward for protecting religious rights in Europe. Read the Council of Europe’s press release here, the “Fact sheet on wearing religious symbols in public” and the “Fact sheet on hate speech.”