Freedom of religion in the framework of universal instruments for the protection of human rights and under the European Convention

Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental right recognized in all the international acts concerning human rights. This contribution investigates the content and the contours of this right considering the interpretative and applicative acts adopted by those international organs called to clarify and apply the right. In particular, it considers the activity of the Human Rights Committee and of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief, and the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights. The analysis focuses on both dimensions of the right: the right to adopt, change and renounce to one’s religion, further enriched by the prohibition on forcing others to believe or not; and the right to manifest one’s religion, with the addition of the prohibition on requiring people to reveal their beliefs.