Recent developments in the protection of religious freedom in Germany and its impact on religious identity

Fehr, Stephanie

doi:10.22096/hr.2020.117320.1175

Recent developments in the protection of religious freedom in Germany and its impact on religious identity

Document Type : Research Article

Author

Stephanie Fehr

The University of Salford European Law Research Centre

10.22096/hr.2020.117320.1175

Abstract

The paper argues that the approach taken to freedom of religion under future German law falls short of basic legal principles and it does not signal compliance with international obligations. Moreover, it entails an increased difficulty for non-Christian citizens to maintain their religious identity.

Religious freedom is protected under Art. 4 of the German constitution: “(1) The freedom of faith, conscience and the freedom of religious denomination and of philosophy of life are inviolable. (2) The undisturbed practice of religion is guaranteed.” A further relevant provision is Art. 3 of the constitution, which prohibits discrimination, inter alia on grounds of religion. The paper will explain and analyse the mechanisms in which human rights can be restricted in the FRG.

Keywords

developments

protection

religious

freedom

A) Books & Articles

- Badura (1989). Der Schutz von Religion und Weltanschauung durch das Grundgesetz, Tübingen: J.C.B. Mohr.

- Bertrams (2003). Lehrerin mit Kopftuch? Islamismus und das Menschenbild des Grundgesetzes, DVBl. 2003, 1225.

- Craig, de Búrca (2003). EU Law, 3^rd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press.

- Epping (2004). Grundrechte, Heidelberg.

- Gerstenberg (2055). “Germany: Freedom of conscience in public schools”, IJConstL, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. m94, 96.

- Langenfeld, Mohsen (2005). “Germany: The head scarf case”, I. J. ConstL, Vol. 83, No. 3, p. 94.

- Müller, Friedrich (1990). Die Positivität der Grundrechte, 2^nd ed., Berlin: Duncker & Humblot Gmbh. Oxford Concise English Dictionary of Current English, 9^th ed., 1995.

- Pieroth, Schlink (2003). Grundrechte Staatsrecht II, 19th ed., Heidelberg: Heidelberg.

- Schiek (2004). “Just a Piece of Cloth? German Courts and Employees with Headscarves”, IndLJ, Vol. 33, No. 1.

- Schoch (2001). Festschrift fuer Hollerbach, p.149.

B) Documents

- Council Directive 2000/78/EC of 27 November 2000 establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and education, OJ L 303/16, 2 December 2000.

- Dahlab v. Switzerland, (15/02/2001) Appl. No. 42393/98.

- Federal Constitutional Court ruling, BVerfGE 79, 69 (75).

- German Constitution, the Grundgesetz of 1950.

- Gesetze gegen Kopftücher, www.br-online.de/bayern-heute/artikel/0311_kabinett/ (15/12/2004).

- Green Paper Equality and non-discrimination in an enlarged European Union, COM(2004)379 final.

- Leyla Sahin v. Turkey, (29/06/2004) Appl. No. 44774/98.

- Preuss, Augsburger Kommentar, Art. 4 Abs. 1, 2, Rn.25f.

- Verwaltungsgericht Lüneburg, 16 October 2000, 39 NJW 2899 (2001).

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