Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights

Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights provides a right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This includes the freedom to change a religion or belief, and to manifest a religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance, subject to certain restrictions that are "in accordance with law" and "necessary in a democratic society"

Article text

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Article 9 – Freedom of thought, conscience and religion 1. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance. 2. 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.

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History

• Protestant Reformation
• First Amendment to the United States Constitution

Case law

• European Court of Human Rights:
  • Buscarini and Others v. San Marino
  • Kokkinakis v. Greece
  • Leyla Şahin v. Turkey
  • Pichon and Sajous v. France
  • Leela Förderkreis E.V. and Others v. Germany
  • Universelles Leben e.V. v. Germany
  • Lautsi v. Italy
  • S.A.S. v. France
• English national court:
  • Connolly v DPP

See also

• European Convention on Human Rights

Literature

• Murdoch J. Freedom of thought, conscience and religion. A guide to the implementation of Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights Strasbourg, Council of Europe, 2007
• Freedom of religion, a factsheet of ECtHR case law
• The Protections for Religious Rights: Law and Practice, a textbook on Article 9 and international law on the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion