Freedom of Religion or Belief

Dr Heiner Bielefeldt (Dr phil Tübingen, Habil Bremen, Dr h.c. Luzern) was the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief from 2010 to 2016. He is Professor of Human Rights and Human Rights Politics at the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg. From 2003 to 2009, he was Director of Germany's National Human Rights Institution. His research interests include the history of political ideas, legal philosophy and various interdisciplinary facets of human rights theory and practice, with a specific focus on freedom of religion or belief.Dr Nazila Ghanea (MA Leeds, PhD Keele, MA Oxon) is Associate Professor in International Human Rights Law at the University of Oxford, Fellow of Kellogg College and member of the OSCE Panel of Experts on Freedom of Religion or Belief. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the independent think tank the Universal Rights Group. Her research has been funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Board, the UK Economic and Social Research Council, Open Society and QNRF. Her research interests include freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, minority rights, the domestic effects of human rights treaty ratification and human rights in the Middle East.Dr Michael Wiener (LLM London, Ass iur Rheinland-Pfalz, Dr iur Trier) has been working in the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights since 2006. He wrote his doctoral thesis on the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief and has subsequently assisted the mandate for five years, conducting visits to a dozen of countries/territories. He has also been a Visiting Fellow of Kellogg College at the University of Oxford since 2011. He has published a book on freedom of religion or belief as well as related chapters and journal articles.

This commentary, written by leading experts in the field, provides a clear examination and interpretation of the various international legal provisions relating to the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion and offers a critical assessment of the approaches of the United Nations (UN) Special Procedures and Treaty Bodies in protecting this right. ... Overall there is a tremendous richness to the discussions in this commentary, characterized by a deep understanding of and sensitivity toward the complex issues relating to freedom of religion or belief. This commentary will not only be an invaluable resource for scholars and practitioners working in the field but will also be a useful tool for anyone interested in any aspect of the relationship between religion/belief and international law.

• The Underlying Principles of Freedom of Religion or Belief - Towards a Holistic Conceptualization ; Overview of international human rights mechanisms ; 1. Freedom of religion or belief ; 1.1 Freedom to adopt, change or renounce a religion or belief ; 1.2 Freedom from coercion ; 1.3 The right to manifest one's religion or belief ; 1.3.1 Freedom to worship ; 1.3.2 Places of worship ; 1.3.3 Religious symbols ; 1.3.4 Observance of holidays and days of rest ; 1.3.5 Appointing clergy ; 1.3.6 Teaching and disseminating materials (including missionary activity) ; 1.3.7 The liberty of parents to ensure the religious and moral education of their children ; 1.3.8 Registration ; 1.3.9 Communicate with individuals and communities on religious matters at the national and international level ; 1.3.10 Establish and maintain charitable and humanitarian institutions/solicit and receive funding ; 1.3.11 Conscientious objection ; 2. Discrimination ; 2.1 Discrimination on the basis of religion or belief/inter-religious discrimination/tolerance ; 2.2 State religion ; 3. Vulnerable groups ; 3.1 Women ; 3.2 Persons deprived of their liberty ; 3.3 Refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced persons ; 3.4 Children ; 3.5 Minorities ; 3.6 Migrant workers ; 4. Intersection of freedom of religion or belief with other human rights ; 4.1 Freedom of expression including questions related to religious conflicts, religious intolerance/extremism ; 4.2 Right to life, right to liberty ; 4.3 Prohibition on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment ; 5. Cross-cutting issues ; 5.1 Derogation ; 5.2 Limitations ; 5.3 Legislative issues ; 5.4 Defenders of freedom of religion or belief and non-governmental organizations