From Cartoons to Crucifixes: Current Controversies Concerning the Freedom of Religion and the Freedom of Expression before the European Court of Human Rights

During the past five years, issues concerning the freedom of religion, and its relationship with the freedom of expression have received an ever higher profile in both the media and in political debate. The purpose of this article is to reflect on the approach taken by the European Court of Human Ri...

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Veröffentlicht in:The Journal of law and religion 2010, Vol.26 (1), p.345-370
1. Verfasser: Evans, Malcolm D.
Format: Artikel
Sprache:eng
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Zusammenfassung:During the past five years, issues concerning the freedom of religion, and its relationship with the freedom of expression have received an ever higher profile in both the media and in political debate. The purpose of this article is to reflect on the approach taken by the European Court of Human Rights to some of the most significant of these issues. In a short article of this nature it is not possible to examine each of the issues in a comprehensive fashion, but by juxtaposing relatively brief overviews of these cases, some general insights regarding the current mood of the Court and the capacity of the Convention system to engage with ever more pressing issues will emerge. The main challenge appears to be the need to reconcile the Court's emphasis upon neutrality and impartiality, found in its more recent case law concerning state relations with religious associations, with the core value of respect, which has long dominated its approach in other areas. Its failure to address this challenge in an appropriate manner threatens the Court's ability to engage with emerging problems in a satisfactory fashion.
ISSN:0748-0814
2163-3088
DOI:10.1017/S0748081400001004