Right to Religious Freedom: Regional Approaches
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The right to religious freedom is a fundamental human right recognised and protected by various universal and regional approaches. While universal documents provide a global framework for upholding religious freedom, regional approaches complement and further strengthen the protection of this right within specific regional contexts. Here are some examples of regional approaches to the right to religious freedom:
European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR): The Council of Europe's ECHR protects the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief in its Article 9. It guarantees the right to manifest one's religion or belief in worship, observance, practice, and teaching, subject only to certain limitations prescribed by law and necessary in a democratic society.
American Convention on Human Rights (ACHR): The Organisation of American States' ACHR recognises the right to freedom of conscience and religion in Article 12. It ensures the freedom to profess and practice religion, individually or in community with others, and protects individuals from coercion that may impair their freedom to have or adopt a religion or belief.
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR): The African Union's ACHPR affirms the right to freedom of religion in Article 8. It guarantees the freedom to manifest one's religion or belief, individually or in community with others, and prohibits any form of coercion that infringes upon this right.
Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE): The OSCE, which encompasses 57 participating states in Europe, Central Asia, and North America, recognises religious freedom as a fundamental human right. It promotes dialogue, tolerance, and respect for religious diversity through various mechanisms and initiatives.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): ASEAN, a regional organisation in Southeast Asia, acknowledges the importance of promoting and protecting human rights, including the right to religious freedom. It seeks to enhance regional cooperation and dialogue on human rights issues, including those related to religion and belief.
These regional approaches provide additional layers of protection for religious freedom within specific regional contexts. They allow for regional cooperation, dialogue, and monitoring of human rights situations, enabling member states to address religious discrimination, protect religious minorities, and promote religious tolerance and understanding.
Regional approaches to religious freedom are meant to complement, not replace, the universal standards set forth in international documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Both universal and regional approaches play a crucial role in promoting and protecting the right to religious freedom, recognising the diverse cultural, social, and historical contexts in which this right is exercised.
European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR): The Council of Europe's ECHR protects the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and belief in its Article 9. It guarantees the right to manifest one's religion or belief in worship, observance, practice, and teaching, subject only to certain limitations prescribed by law and necessary in a democratic society.
American Convention on Human Rights (ACHR): The Organisation of American States' ACHR recognises the right to freedom of conscience and religion in Article 12. It ensures the freedom to profess and practice religion, individually or in community with others, and protects individuals from coercion that may impair their freedom to have or adopt a religion or belief.
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR): The African Union's ACHPR affirms the right to freedom of religion in Article 8. It guarantees the freedom to manifest one's religion or belief, individually or in community with others, and prohibits any form of coercion that infringes upon this right.
Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE): The OSCE, which encompasses 57 participating states in Europe, Central Asia, and North America, recognises religious freedom as a fundamental human right. It promotes dialogue, tolerance, and respect for religious diversity through various mechanisms and initiatives.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN): ASEAN, a regional organisation in Southeast Asia, acknowledges the importance of promoting and protecting human rights, including the right to religious freedom. It seeks to enhance regional cooperation and dialogue on human rights issues, including those related to religion and belief.
These regional approaches provide additional layers of protection for religious freedom within specific regional contexts. They allow for regional cooperation, dialogue, and monitoring of human rights situations, enabling member states to address religious discrimination, protect religious minorities, and promote religious tolerance and understanding.
Regional approaches to religious freedom are meant to complement, not replace, the universal standards set forth in international documents such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Both universal and regional approaches play a crucial role in promoting and protecting the right to religious freedom, recognising the diverse cultural, social, and historical contexts in which this right is exercised.
