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eu-charter

EU Charter of Fundamental Rights

Article 10 - Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

Article 10 - Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

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.
    • Bundesrepublik Deutschland v Y and Z
      Decision date:
      Deciding body type:
      Court of Justice of the European Union
      Deciding body:
      European Court of Justice (Grand Chamber)
      Type:
      Decision
      Policy area:
      ECLI (European case law identifier):
      EU:C:2012:518
    • Bayatyan v Armenia
      Decision date:
      Deciding body type:
      European Court of Human Rights
      Deciding body:
      European Court of Human Rights (Grand Chamber)
      Type:
      Decision
      Policy area:
      Justice, freedom and security
      ECLI (European case law identifier):
      ECLI:CE:ECHR:2011:0707JUD002345903
    • Criminal proceedings against Attila Vajnai
      Decision date:
      Deciding body type:
      Court of Justice of the European Union
      Deciding body:
      Court (Fourth Chamber)
      Type:
      Decision
      Policy area:
      ECLI (European case law identifier):
      ECLI:EU:C:2005:596

    0 results found

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    • 27
      November
      2012
      Despite EU Member States’ efforts to combat discrimination and intolerance, including hate crime, there are indications that the situation is not improving. Continued and renewed violations of the fundamental rights of people living within the EU have instead been witnessed over the past few years, through verbal abuse, physical attacks or even murders motivated by prejudice.