Freedom of Religion: an Ambiguous Right in the Contemporary European Legal Order

"In most European societies today, religion and questions about religion are increasing in relevance and importance. This development can be explained in several ways, for example by continuous demographic changes and new societal standards and values. As a consequence, the debate on the interpretation and scope of the right to freedom of religion has intensified in politics, media and, of course, law. The right to freedom of religion is complex and varies within different legal contexts at the international, European and national levels. This has resulted in a right that is ambiguous and sometimes difficult for individuals to claim and for states to assert. This book presents a variety of perspectives on the concept of freedom of religion in different European countries against the background of the European Convention on Human Rights, the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and other international treaties. It contains contributions from leading legal scholars working in these fields in Sweden, the Nordic countries and wider Europe."--

PART I -- 1. Religion and Human Rights: Ambiguities and Ambivalences of Freedom Pamela Slotte -- 2. Freedom of Religion in Sweden from a Historical Perspective Joakim Nergelius -- 3. The Significance of Religion for Swedish Labour and Social Legislation Reinhold Fahlbeck -- PART II -- 4. EU Law and Religion: Protecting a Privileged Position for Majority Faiths? Ronan McCrea -- 5. What's in a Scarf? On the Ripple Effect of the ECtHR's Case Law Patrik Bremdal 6. The Freedom of Religion in Relation to Other Human Rights Karin AstrŠom -- 7. 'And in Community with Others' Emma Ahlm -- 8. Freedom of Religion: Conscience, Dignity and the Construction of Identity Willem Vancutsem -- PART III -- 9. Ban on Faith-based Schools? Lotta Lerwall -- 10. The Swedish Education System and its Challenges in a Multicultural Society Hedvig Bernitz -- 11. Religious Refusals in Health Care as a Matter of Freedom of Religion Kavot Zillň -- 12. Understanding Religion: A Portal to the Past or the Key to the Future? Victoria Enkvist