1. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right includes freedom to change religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or in private, to manifest religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.
2. The right to conscientious objection is recognised, in accordance with the national laws governing the exercise of this right.

    • Text:

      The right guaranteed in paragraph 1 corresponds to the right guaranteed in Article 9 of the ECHR and, in accordance with Article 52(3) of the Charter, has the same meaning and scope. Limitations must therefore respect Article 9(2) of the Convention, which reads as follows: "Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs shall 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 right guaranteed in paragraph 2 corresponds to national constitutional traditions and to the development of national legislation on this issue.

      Source:
      Official Journal of the European Union C 303/17 - 14.12.2007
      Preamble - Explanations relating to the Charter of Fundamental Rights:
      These explanations were originally prepared under the authority of the Praesidium of the Convention which drafted the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. Although they do not as such have the status of law, they are a valuable tool of interpretation intended to clarify the provisions of the Charter.
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    • Advisory role requested on a legislative proposal by the Belgian Chamber of Representatives
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      ECLI (European case law identifier):
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      Constitutional Court
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      Deciding body type:
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      Court (Full Court)
      Type:
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      Supreme Court, Contentious Chamber
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      Court (Grand Chamber)
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    32 results found

    • Romania / Constitution of Romania
      Country:
      Romania

      Article 29(1) Freedom of thought, opinion, and religious beliefs shall not be restricted in any form whatsoever. No one shall be compelled to embrace an opinion or religion contrary to his own convictions. (2) Freedom of conscience is guaranteed; it must be manifested in a spirit of tolerance and mutual respect. (3) All religions shall be free and organized in accordance with their own statutes, under the terms laid down by law. (4) Any forms, means, acts or actions of religious enmity shall be prohibited in the relationships among the cults. (5) Religious cults shall be autonomous from the State and shall enjoy support from it, including the facilitation of religious assistance in the army, in hospitals, prisons, homes and orphanages. (6) Parents or legal tutors have the right to ensure, in accordance with their own convictions, the education of the minor children whose responsibility devolves on them.

    • Sweden / Instrument of Government
      Country:
      Sweden

      Chapter 2 - Fundamental rights and freedoms:

      Article 1 Every citizen shall be guaranteed the following rights and freedoms in his relations with the public institutions: 1. freedom of expression: that is, the freedom to communicate information and express thoughts, opinions and sentiments, whether orally, pictorially, in writing, or in any other way; 2. freedom of information: that is, the freedom to procure and receive information and otherwise acquaint oneself with the utterances of others; 3. freedom of assembly: that is, the freedom to organise or attend meetings for the purposes of information or the expression of opinion or for any other similar purpose, or for the purpose of presenting artistic work; 4. freedom to demonstrate: that is, the freedom to organise or take part in demonstrations in a public place; 5. freedom of association: that is, the freedom to associate with others for public or private purposes; and 6. freedom of worship: that is, the freedom to practise one’s religion alone or in the company of others.

      Article 2 No one shall in his or her relations with the public institutions be coerced to divulge an opinion in a political, religious, cultural or other such connection. Nor may anyone in his or her relations with the public institutions be coerced to participate in a meeting for the shaping of opinion or a demonstration or other manifestation of opinion, or to belong to a political association, religious community or other association for opinion referred to in sentence one;

      Article 3 No record in a public register concerning a Swedish citizen may be based without his or her consent solely on his or her political opinions.

    • Czechia / Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms
      Country:
      Czechia

      Article 15 (1) The freedom of thought, conscience, and religious conviction is guaranteed. Everyone has the right to change her religion or faith or to have no religious conviction. (…) (3) No one may be compelled to perform military service if such is contrary to his conscience or religious conviction. Detailed provisions shall be laid down in a law. Article 16 (1) Everyone has the right freely to manifest her religion or faith, either alone or in community with others, in private or public, through worship, teaching, practice, or observance. (2) Churches and religious societies govern their own affairs; in particular, they establish their own bodies and appoint their clergy, as well as found religious orders and other church institutions, independently of state authorities. (3) The conditions under which religious instruction may be given at state schools shall be set by law. (4) The exercise of these rights may be limited by law in the case of measures necessary in a democratic society for the protection of public safety and order, health and morals, or the rights and freedoms of others.

    • Netherlands / Constitution of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
      Country:
      Netherlands

      Article 6 1. Everyone shall have the right to profess freely his religion or belief, either individually or in community with others, without prejudice to his responsibility under the law. 2. Rules concerning the exercise of this right other than in buildings and enclosed places may be laid down by Act of Parliament for the protection of health, in the interest of traffic and to combat or prevent disorders.

    • Spain / Constitution of the Kingdom of Spain
      Country:
      Spain

      Section 16(1). Freedom of ideology, religion and worship of individuals and communities is guaranteed, with no other restriction on their expression than may be necessary to maintain public order as protected by law.2. No one may be compelled to make statements regarding his or her ideology, religion or beliefs. 3. No religion shall have a state character. The public authorities shall take into account the religious beliefs of Spanish society and shall consequently maintain appropriate cooperation relations with the Catholic Church and other confessions.

      Section 30(1) Citizens have the right and the duty to defend Spain. (2) The law shall determine the military obligations of Spaniards and shall regulate, with all due guarantees, conscientious objection as well as other grounds for exemption from compulsory military service; it may also, when appropriate, impose a community service in place of military service. (...)

    • Slovenia / Constitution of the Republic of Slovenia
      Country:
      Slovenia

      Article 7 The state and religious communities shall be separate. Religious communities shall enjoy equal rights; they shall pursue their activities freely.
      Article 41 Religious and other beliefs may be freely professed in private and public life. No one shall be obliged to declare his religious or other beliefs. Parents have the right to provide their children with a religious and moral upbringing in accordance with their beliefs. The religious and moral guidance given to children must be appropriate to their age and maturity, and be consistent with their free conscience and religious and other beliefs or convictions.

    • Slovakia / Constitution of the Slovak Republic
      Country:
      Slovakia

      Article 24(1) Freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief shall be guaranteed. This right shall include the right to change religion or belief and the right to refrain from a religious affiliation. Everyone has the right to express his or her mind publicly. (2) Everyone has the right to manifest freely his or her religion or belief either alone or in association with others, privately or publicly, in worship, religious acts, maintaining ceremonies or to participate in teaching. (3) Churches and religious communities administer their own affairs themselves; in particular, they constitute their bodies, appoint clericals, organize the teaching of religion, and establish religious orders and other clerical institutions independent of state bodies. (4) The exercise of rights under paragraphs 1 to 3 may be restricted only by a law, if such a measure is necessary in a democratic society to protect public order, health, morals, or the rights and freedoms of others.

      Article 25(1) The defence of the Slovak Republic is a duty and a matter of honour for citizens. The law shall lay down the scope of the compulsory military service. (2) No one shall be forced to perform military service if it is against her conscience or religion. Details shall be laid down by law.

    • Constitution of the Portuguese Republic
      Country:
      Portugal

      Article 41 (Freedom of conscience, of religion and of form of worship) (1) Freedom of conscience, religion and worship shall be inviolable. (2) No one shall be persecuted, deprived of rights or exempted from civic obligations or duties because of his convictions or religious observance. (3) No authority shall question anyone in relation to his convictions or religious observance, save in order to gather statistical data that cannot be individually identified, nor shall anyone be prejudiced in any way for refusing to answer. (4) Churches and other religious communities shall be separate from the state and free to organise themselves and to perform their ceremonies and their worship. (5) Freedom to teach any religion within the denomination in question and to use appropriate media for the pursuit of its activities shall be guaranteed. (6) The right to be a conscientious objector, as laid down by law, shall be guaranteed.

    • Constituição da República Portuguesa
      Country:
      Portugal

      Artigo 41.º (Liberdade de consciência, de religião e de culto) 1. A liberdade de consciência, de religião e de culto é inviolável. 2. Ninguém pode ser perseguido, privado de direitos ou isento de obrigações ou deveres cívicos por causa das suas convicções ou prática religiosa. 3. Ninguém pode ser perguntado por qualquer autoridade acerca das suas convicções ou prática religiosa, salvo para recolha de dados estatísticos não individualmente identificáveis, nem ser prejudicado por se recusar a responder. 4. As igrejas e outras comunidades religiosas estão separadas do Estado e são livres na sua organização e no exercício das suas funções e do culto. 5. É garantida a liberdade de ensino de qualquer religião praticado no âmbito da respectiva confissão, bem como a utilização de meios de comunicação social próprios para o prosseguimento das suas actividades. 6. É garantido o direito à objecção de consciência, nos termos da lei.

    • Constitution of the Republic of Poland
      Country:
      Poland

      Article 25.1. Churches and other religious organizations shall have equal rights. 2. Public authorities in the Republic of Poland shall be impartial in matters of personal conviction, whether religious or philosophical, or in relation to outlooks on life, and shall ensure their freedom of expression within public life. 3. The relationship between the State and churches and other religious organizations shall be based on the principle of respect for their autonomy and the mutual independence of each in its own sphere, as well as on the principle of cooperation for the individual and the common good. 4. The relations between the Republic of Poland and the Roman Catholic Church shall be determined by international treaty concluded with the Holy See, and by statute. 5. The relations between the Republic of Poland and other churches and religious organizations shall be determined by statutes adopted pursuant to agreements concluded between their appropriate representatives and the Council of Ministers.Article 53 1. Freedom of conscience and religion shall be ensured to everyone. 2. Freedom of religion shall include the freedom to profess or to accept a religion by personal choice as well as to manifest such religion, either individually or collectively, publicly or privately, by worshipping, praying, participating in ceremonies, performing of rites or teaching. Freedom of religion shall also include possession of sanctuaries and other places of worship for the satisfaction of the needs of believers as well as the right of individuals, wherever they may be, to benefit from religious services. 3. Parents shall have the right to ensure their children a moral and religious upbringing and teaching in accordance with their convictions. The provisions of Article 48, para. 1 shall apply as appropriate. 4. The religion of a church or other legally recognized religious organization may be taught in schools, but other peoples' freedom of religion and conscience shall not be infringed thereby. 5. The freedom to publicly express religion may be limited only by means of statute and only where this is necessary for the defence of State security, public order, health, morals or the freedoms and rights of others. 6. No one shall be compelled to participate or not participate in religious practices. 7. No one may be compelled by organs of public authority to disclose his philosophy of life, religious convictions or belief.Article 85 (...) 3. Any citizen whose religious convictions or moral principles do not allow him to perform military service may be obliged to perform substitute service in accordance with principles specified by statute.

    • Konstytucja Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej
      Country:
      Poland

      Art. 25.1. Kościoły i inne związki wyznaniowe są równouprawnione. 2. Władze publiczne w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej zachowują bezstronność w sprawach przekonań religijnych, światopoglądowych i filozoficznych, zapewniając swobodę ich wyrażania w życiu publicznym. 3. Stosunki między państwem a kościołami i innymi związkami wyznaniowymi są kształtowane na zasadach poszanowania ich autonomii oraz wzajemnej niezależności każdego w swoim zakresie, jak również współdziałania dla dobra człowieka i dobra wspólnego. 4. Stosunki między Rzecząpospolitą Polską a Kościołem katolickim określają umowa międzynarodowa zawarta ze Stolicą Apostolską i ustawy. 5. Stosunki między Rzecząpospolitą Polską a innymi kościołami oraz związkami wyznaniowymi określają ustawy uchwalone na podstawie umów zawartych przez Radę Ministrów z ich właściwymi przedstawicielami. Art. 53. 1. Każdemu zapewnia się wolność sumienia i religii. 2. Wolność religii obejmuje wolność wyznawania lub przyjmowania religii według własnego wyboru oraz uzewnętrzniania indywidualnie lub z innymi, publicznie lub prywatnie, swojej religii przez uprawianie kultu, modlitwę, uczestniczenie w obrzędach, praktykowanie i nauczanie. Wolność religii obejmuje także posiadanie świątyń i innych miejsc kultu w zależności od potrzeb ludzi wierzących oraz prawo osób do korzystania z pomocy religijnej tam, gdzie się znajdują. 3. Rodzice mają prawo do zapewnienia dzieciom wychowania i nauczania moralnego i religijnego zgodnie ze swoimi przekonaniami. Przepis art. 48 ust. 1 stosuje się odpowiednio. 4. Religia kościoła lub innego związku wyznaniowego o uregulowanej sytuacji prawnej może być przedmiotem nauczania w szkole, przy czym nie może być naruszona wolność sumienia i religii innych osób. 5. Wolność uzewnętrzniania religii może być ograniczona jedynie w drodze ustawy i tylko wtedy, gdy jest to konieczne do ochrony bezpieczeństwa państwa, porządku publicznego, zdrowia, moralności lub wolności i praw innych osób. 6. Nikt nie może być zmuszany do uczestniczenia ani do nieuczestniczenia w praktykach religijnych. 7. Nikt nie może być obowiązany przez organy władzy publicznej do ujawnienia swojego światopoglądu, przekonań religijnych lub wyznania.Art. 85. (...) 3.Obywatel, któremu przekonania religijne lub wyznawane zasady moralne nie pozwalają na odbywanie służby wojskowej, może być obowiązany do służby zastępczej na zasadach określonych w ustawie

    • Constitution of Malta
      Country:
      Malta

      Article 40 (1) All persons in Malta shall have full freedom of conscience and enjoy the free exercise of their respective mode of religious worship. (2) No person shall be required to receive instruction in religion or to show knowledge or proficiency in religion if, in the case of a person who has not attained the age of sixteen years, objection to such requirement is made by the person who according to law has authority over him and, in any other case, if the person so required objects thereto:Provided that no such requirement shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of this article to the extent that the knowledge of, or the proficiency or instruction in, religion is required for the teaching of such religion, or for admission to the priesthood or to a religious order, or for other religious purposes, and except so far as that requirement is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society. (3) Nothing contained in or done under the authority of any law shall be held to be inconsistent with or in contravention of subarticle (1), to the extent that the law in question makes provision that is reasonably required in the interests of public safety, public order, public morality or decency, public health, or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others, and except so far as that provision or, as the case may be, the thing done under the authority thereof, is shown not to be reasonably justifiable in a democratic society. font>

    • Constitution du Grand Duche de Luxembourg
      Country:
      Luxembourg

      Article 19. La liberté des cultes, celle de leur exercice public, ainsi que la liberté de manifester ses opinions religieuses, sont garanties, sauf la répression des délits commis à l’occasion de l’usage de ces libertés. Article 20. Nul ne peut être contraint de concourir d’une manière quelconque aux actes et aux cérémonies d’un culte ni d’en observer les jours de repos

    • Constitution of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
      Country:
      Luxembourg

      Article 19. The freedom of religions, that of their public exercise, as well as the freedom to manifest religious opinions, are guaranteed, save for the repression of crimes committed on the occasion of the practice of these freedoms. Article 20. No one may be forced to take part in any manner whatsoever in the acts and
      ceremonies of a religion or to observe its days of rest.

    • Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania
      Country:
      Lithuania

      Article 26. Freedom of thought, conscience, and religion shall not be restricted. Everyone shall have the right to freely choose any religion or belief and, either alone or with others, in private or in public, to profess his religion, to perform religious ceremonies, as well as to practise and teach his belief. No one may compel another person or be compelled to choose or profess any religion or belief. The freedom to profess and spread religion or belief may not be limited otherwise than by law and only when this is necessary to guarantee the security of society, public order, the health or morals of people, or other basic rights or freedoms of the person. Parents and guardians shall, without restrictions, take care of the religious and moral education of their children and wards according to their own convictions. Article 27 Convictions, practised religion, or belief may not serve as a justification for a crime or failure to observe laws. Article 43. The State shall recognise the churches and religious organisations that are traditional in Lithuania; other churches and religious organisations shall be recognised provided that they have support in society, and their teaching and practices are not in conflict with the law and public morals. Churches and religious organisations recognised by the State shall have the rights of a legal person. Churches and religious organisations shall be free to proclaim their teaching, perform their ceremonies, and have houses of prayer, charity establishments, and schools for the training of priests. Churches and religious organisations shall conduct their affairs freely according to their canons and statutes. The status of churches and other religious organisations in the State shall be established by agreement or by law. The teaching proclaimed by churches and religious organisations, other religious activities, and houses of prayer may not be used for purposes that are in conflict with the Constitution and laws. There shall be no state religion in Lithuania.

    • Lietuvos Respublikos Konstitucija
      Country:
      Lithuania

      26 straipsnis. Minties, tikėjimo ir sąžinės laisvė yra nevaržoma. Kiekvienas žmogus turi teisę laisvai pasirinkti bet kurią religiją arba tikėjimą ir vienas ar su kitais, privačiai ar viešai ją išpažinti, atlikinėti religines apeigas, praktikuoti tikėjimą ir mokyti jo. Niekas negali kito asmens versti nei būti verčiamas pasirinkti ar išpažinti kurią nors religiją arba tikėjimą. Žmogaus laisvė išpažinti ir skleisti religiją arba tikėjimą negali būti apribota kitaip, kaip tik įstatymu ir tik tada, kai būtina garantuoti visuomenės saugumą, viešąją tvarką, žmonių sveikatą ir dorovę, taip pat kitas asmens pagrindines teises ir laisves. Tėvai ir globėjai nevaržomi rūpinasi vaikų ir globotinių religiniu ir doroviniu auklėjimu pagal savo įsitikinimus. 27 straipsnis. Žmogaus įsitikinimais, praktikuojama religija ar tikėjimu negali būti pateisinamas nusikaltimas ar įstatymų nevykdymas. 43 straipsnis. Valstybė pripažįsta tradicines Lietuvoje bažnyčias bei religines organizacijas, o kitas bažnyčias ir religines organizacijas - jeigu jos turi atramą visuomenėje ir jų mokymas bei apeigos neprieštarauja įstatymui ir dorai. Valstybės pripažintos bažnyčios bei kitos religinės organizacijos turi juridinio asmens teises.Bažnyčios bei religinės organizacijos laisvai skelbia savo mokslą, atlieka savo apeigas, turi maldos namus, labdaros įstaigas ir mokyklas dvasininkams rengti.Bažnyčios bei religinės organizacijos laisvai tvarkosi pagal savus kanonus ir statutus. Bažnyčių bei kitų religinių organizacijų būklė valstybėje nustatoma susitarimu arba įstatymu. Bažnyčių bei religinių organizacijų mokslo skelbimas, kita tikybinė veikla, taip pat maldos namai negali būti naudojami tam, kas prieštarauja Konstitucijai ir įstatymams. Lietuvoje nėra valstybinės religijos.

    • Constitution of the Republic of Latvia
      Country:
      Latvia

      99. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. The church shall be separate from the State.

    • Latvijas Republikas Satversme
      Country:
      Latvia

      99. Ikvienam ir tiesības uz domas, apziņas un reliģiskās pārliecības brīvību. Baznīca ir atdalīta no valsts.

    • Constitution of the Italian Republic
      Country:
      Italy

      Art. 19. Anyone is entitled to freely profess their religious belief in any form, individually or with others, and to promote them and celebrate rites in public or in private, provided they are not offensive to public morality. Art. 20. No special limitation or tax burden may be imposed on the establishment, legal capacity or activities of any organisation on the ground of its religious nature or its religious or confessionai aims.

    • Costituzione della Repubblica Italiana
      Country:
      Italy

      Art. 19. Tutti hanno diritto di professare liberamente la propria fede religiosa in qualsiasi forma, individuale o associata, di farne propaganda e di esercitarne in privato o in pubblico il culto, purché non si tratti di riti contrari al buon costume. Art. 20. Il carattere ecclesiastico e il fine di religione o di culto d'una associazione od istituzione non possono essere causa di speciali limitazioni legislative, né di speciali gravami fiscali per la sua costituzione, capacità giuridica e ogni forma di attività.

    2 results found

    • Protocol (No 29) on the system of public broadcasting in the Member States

       

      .

    • Council Regulation (EC) No 1099/2009 of 24 September 2009 on the protection of animals at the time of killing

      [...]

      (18) Derogation from stunning in case of religious slaughter taking place in slaughterhouses was granted by Directive 93/119/EC. Since Community provisions applicable to religious slaughter have been transposed differently depending on national contexts and considering that national rules take into account dimensions that go beyond the purpose of this Regulation, it is important that derogation from stunning animals prior to slaughter should be maintained, leaving, however, a certain level of subsidiarity to each Member State. As a consequence, this Regulation respects the freedom of religion and the right to manifest religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance, as enshrined in Article 10 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

      [...]

    0 results found