Freedom of religion is a fundamental right and principle within the European Union. The EU recognises the diversity of beliefs among its member states for article 17 of the Lisbon Treaty respects the status of both religious associations and non-confessional organisations under national laws, strongly purporting that the right to freedom of religion must be safeguarded in order to foster tolerance and promote the values democracy, peace, development, stability and the rule of law.
While there are major differences in the way religion is expressed in each member State, there is one overarching commonality: enabling individuals to manifest their religious beliefs in a safe and respected environment.
Although these rights have been enshrined in both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, many individuals across the world are still unable to freely express their religious beliefs without consequences.
Despite these international attempts to protect individual liberties, some citizens are watching their religious freedoms dwindle as their governments become increasingly controlling.
According to the International Religious Freedom Report of 2012, North Korea epitomises a State that restricts the religious rights of its people for the government strongly discourages organised religious activity by arresting, beating, torturing or even killing suspected members of underground churches.
Although its Constitution provides for the freedom of religion, reports estimate that between 100,000 and 200,000 prisonersare held by the North Korean government in remote locations around the country on charges of religious expression.
Government sponsorship of specific religious gatherings attempts to create the façade that the people are able to express their beliefs. However, the gap between illusion and reality is wide and it is crucial that this dichotomy between official policy and practice does not spread across borders.
The predominance of one religion has not obstructed the expression of other faiths in Malta’s free and open society
Thus, the EU has taken initiatives towards safeguarding the continuity of the freedom of religion by first ensuring that this right is fully respected within member states. Not only is freedom of religion an irrefutable aspect of a democratic society but it is also a fundamental foundation for unity within a religiously and culturally diverse Union.
In order to further augment this intercultural dialogue between member states, the EU Council successfully adopted guidelines on the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief in June.
These guidelines are the first of their kind, establishing a set of standards that will ensure that each member State is striving towards the creation of a society that is non-discriminatory with respect to religion.
The overriding principles outlined in the document are the freedom of thought, conscience and religion or belief, which must be applied to every individual equally. Furthermore, the guidelines highlight the universality of the right to religious expression, declaring that it is a fundamental right to be protected everywhere for everyone.
While certain societies around the world are struggling with religious freedom and expression, it is imperative that this human right must not be taken for granted within the EU. Although Maltese culture was greatly influenced by shared beliefs among its people, the predominance of one religion has not obstructed the expression of other faiths in our free and open society.
Hence, we must strive to ensure that such practices and standards are maintained within our country.
As its motto United in Diversity implies, the EU recognises the need for an international community that tolerates and respects differing cultures, religions and national or regional identities to achieve the goal of not merely uniting states but uniting people. Thus, the EU has not only taken the necessary steps to safeguard individual’s fundamental freedoms within its borders but it also is working to spread these core values to partner and neighboring countries.
These new mechanisms enacted by the EU push global society towards recognising the right to religious expression as a basic and universal human right rather than a privilege.
David Casa is a Nationalist MEP.