| |
|
|
| Specific
Instruments |
|
Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief |
 |
| Date of adoption:
25/11/1981 |
Entry into
force:
- |
| System of protection:
Universal |
|
Edict of Nantes (1598) |
|
| Date of adoption:
13/4/1598 |
Entry into
force:
- |
| System of protection:
Other |
|
Model Treaty on Extradition |
|
| Date of adoption:
14/12/1990 |
Entry into
force:
- |
| System of protection:
Universal |
|
Protocol N°1 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms |
|
| Date of adoption:
20/3/1952 |
Entry into
force:
18/5/1954 |
| System of protection:
Council of Europe |
| |
|
|
| General
Instruments |
 |
|
American Convention on Human Rights (Pact of San Jose, Costa Rica) |
|
| Date of adoption:
22/11/1969 |
Entry into
force:
18/7/1978 |
| System of protection:
Organization of American States |
|
Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (European Convention on Human Rights, ECHR) |
|
| Date of adoption:
4/11/1950 |
Entry into
force:
3/9/1953 |
| System of protection:
Council of Europe |
|
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) |
|
| Date of adoption:
16/12/1966 |
Entry into
force:
23/3/1976 |
| System of protection:
Universal |
|
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union |
|
| Date of adoption:
7/12/2000 |
Entry into
force:
- |
| System of protection:
European Union |
|
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) |
|
| Date of adoption:
10/12/1948 |
Entry into
force:
- |
| System of protection:
Universal |
|
American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man |
|
| Date of adoption:
2/5/1948 |
Entry into
force:
- |
| System of protection:
Organization of American States |
|
African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (Banjul Charter) |
|
| Date of adoption:
27/6/1981 |
Entry into
force:
21/10/1986 |
| System of protection:
Organization of African Unity |
| |
|
|
| Articles |
|
|
Compatibility / Incompatibility of Shia Islam with Human Rights Standards |
|
|
Gallianne PALAYRET |
| Latest update:
23/03/2004 |
First published:
1/2004 |
| Reference:
Human Rights Network International, 2004 |
|
After a presentation of the Islamic approach to human rights and of the basis of Shia Islam, the author evaluates the obstacles to compatibility between Shia Islam and Human Rights. |
|
Droit communautaire des droits fondamentaux |
|
|
Frédéric SUDRE |
| Latest update:
23/06/2003 |
First published:
2002 |
| Reference:
Rev. trim. dr. h. 2002; p. 659-683. |
|
Chronicle of the jurisprudence of the European Court of Justice in the field of Human Rights - 2001. |
|
Examen de jurisprudence (1995-2000) Chapitre 6 |
|
|
Pierre-François DOCQUIR - Rusen ERGEC |
| Latest update:
28/10/2002 |
First published:
1/5/2002 |
| Reference:
R.C.J.B., 2002/1, pp. 85-229 |
|
The article reviews the whole of ECHR case law, from 1 January 1995 until 31 December 2000, highlighting the major threads and evolutions during this period. |
| |
|
|
| Websites |
|
|
Amnesty International |
| Languages:
Arabic English French Spanish |
 |
|
Country reports and the latest news releases, information on AI latest campaigns and appeals for action to help protect human rights. Section "Library": Research available by country / region / theme.
Links to hundreds of human rights websites. |
|
Human Rights Watch - Defending Human Rights Worldwide |
| Languages:
Arabic Chinese English French Portuguese Russian Spanish |
|
|
The official site of Human Rights Watch - an independent NGO.
News releases - Current events - Publications - Info by country - Campaigns - Issues -Reports - Links... Search engine. A very informative site. |
|
Campaign "Stop Violence Against Women" - Special Focus: "Female Genital Mutilation" |
| Languages:
English French |
|
|
Notion - Actions - Legislations - International Instruments. |
|
Human Rights in China |
| Languages:
Chinese English |
|
|
The official site of an international non-governmental organization. Publications - Research reports - Reports on human rights conditions in China, Tibet, Hong Kong - Campaigns - Activities - News - Useful links... |
|
International Coalition for Religious Freedom |
| Languages:
English |
|
|
Contains a global report on religious freedom, offering a country-by-country analysis. Very complete and objective. News articles and a useful list of links toward other sites on the subject can also be found here. |
|
The Religious Freedom Page |
| Languages:
English |
|
|
A handsome site offering country-by-country religious freedom profiles, as well as sections on religious freedom reports, religious principles, and a list of sacred texts. Another part is dedicated to religious freedom in the US. |
|
The Religious Movements Page |
| Languages:
English |
|
|
Web site dedicated to the study of religious movements on the web and in the world. |
|
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights - Religious Intolerance |
| Languages:
English French Spanish |
|
|
Documents from the G.A., the HRC, the ECOSOC and the Sub-Commission, dealing with religious intolerance - Special Rapporteur - 1981 Declaration - Geneva Spiritual Appeal. |
| |
|
|
| Selected
Case Law |
|
|
Free Legal Assistance Group, Lawyers' Committee for Human Rights, Union Interafricaine des Droits de l'Homme, Les Témoins de Jehovah v. Zaire |
|
| Date:
10/1995 |
| Decision-making body:
African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights |
| Legal reference:
Communications Nos. 25/89, 47/90, 56/91, 100/93 (Joined), in Annex on Communications to the Ninth Annual Activity Report of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights, 1995-1996 (ACHPR/RPT/9th), AHG/207 (XXXII). |
|
Economic, social and cultural rights - Zaire violates right to health (Art. 16, by failing to provide basic services) and right to education (Art. 17) - "Serious and massive violations" - Violation of Articles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16 and 17. |
|
Pretty v. United Kingdom |
|
| Date:
29/4/2002 |
| Decision-making body:
European Court of Human Rights |
| Legal reference:
ECHR, 29 April 2002, n° 2346/02. |
|
Prohibition of assisted suicide - Right to life: absence of negative aspect - Article 3: no positive obligation not to prosecute the husband of the applicant - Article 8 applies: interference necessary in a democratic society. |
|
Efstratiou v. Greece |
|
| Date:
18/12/1996 |
| Decision-making body:
European Court of Human Rights |
| Legal reference:
ECHR, 18 December 1996, Recueil 1996-VI. n° 77/1996/696/888. |
|
Jehovah's Witnesses - Child refusing to participate in the national holiday ceremony - 2 days' suspension from school - No violation of Article 1 of Protocol 2, Articles 9 and 3 - Absence of effective remedy: violation of Article 13. |
|
Manoussakis and Others v. Greece |
|
| Date:
26/9/1996 |
| Decision-making body:
European Court of Human Rights |
| Legal reference:
ECHR, 26 September 1996, Rec. 1996-IV. n° 59/1995/565/651. |
|
Jehovah's Witnesses - Convicted for operating a place of worship without authorisation - Article 9 - Interference justified by reasons of public order - The State cannot judge the legitimacy of religious beliefs - Violation. |
|
Otto-Preminger-Institut v. Austria |
|
| Date:
20/9/1994 |
| Decision-making body:
European Court of Human Rights |
| Legal reference:
ECHR, 20 September 1994, Series A - 295-A |
|
Seizure and forfeiture of a film caricaturing religion - Protection of the rights of others (freedom of thought, conscience and religion) - Impossible to identify a uniform conception of morals or religion in Europe - National margin of appreciation. |
|
Kokkinakis v. Greece |
|
| Date:
25/5/1993 |
| Decision-making body:
European Court of Human Rights |
| Legal reference:
ECHR, 25 May 1993, A-260-A. n° 3/1992/348/421. |
|
Conviction for proselytism - Jehovah's Witness - Freedom of religion - Right to manifest one's religion - Interference in accordance with the law to protect the rights of others - Disproportionate measure - Violation of Article 9. |
|
M. A. B., W. A. T. and J.-A. Y. T. v. Canada |
|
| Date:
25/4/1994 |
| Decision-making body:
Human Rights Committee |
| Legal reference:
Communication No 570/1993 : Canada. 25/04/94. CCPR/C/50/D/570/1993 |
|
Freedom of religion - Religious practice consisted of worship of marijuana - Anti-drug legislation amounts to an attack on the freedom of religion - Communication based on Articles 9, 14, 15 and 17 - Inadmissible - Notion of religion. |
|
William Eduardo Delgado Páez v. Colombia |
|
| Date:
23/8/1990 |
| Decision-making body:
Human Rights Committee |
| Legal reference:
Communication No. 195/1985 : Colombia. 23/08/90. CCPR/C/39/D/195/1985 |
|
Teacher of religion and ethics - Suspension justified by his progressive ideas - Threats - Violation of Articles 9(1) and 25(c). |
|
Karnel Singh Bhinder v. Canada |
|
| Date:
28/11/1989 |
| Decision-making body:
Human Rights Committee |
| Legal reference:
Communication No. 208/1986 : Canada. 28/11/89. CCPR/C/37/D/208/1986 |
|
Obligation to wear a safety helmet at work - Refusal of a Sikh to follow this requirement based on his refusal to remove his turban (for religious reasons) - No violation of Article 18. |
|
Andre Alphonse Mpaka-Nsusu v. Zaïre |
|
| Date:
26/3/1986 |
| Decision-making body:
Human Rights Committee |
| Legal reference:
CCPR/C/27/D/157/1983 |
|
Attempt to establish a second political party in Zaire - Arbitrary detention - Persecution for political opinions - Violation of the freedom of movement and the right to participate in political life - Inadmissible based on Article 1. |
|
Erkki Hartikainen v. Finland |
|
| Date:
9/4/1981 |
| Decision-making body:
Human Rights Committee |
| Legal reference:
CCPR/C/12/D/40/1978 |
|
Mandatory course focusing on the history of religion and ethics - Freedom of parents to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions - No violation of Article 18(4). |
|
Luciano Weinberger Weisz v. Uruguay |
|
| Date:
29/10/1980 |
| Decision-making body:
Human Rights Committee |
| Legal reference:
CCPR/C/11/D/28/1978 |
|
Arbitrary arrest and detention - Cruel treatment - Deprivation of the right to participate in political activities for 15 years - Violation of articles 7, 9, 10, 14, 15, 19, 25 - Excessive restriction on the political rights of a criminal offender. |
|
Beatriz Weismann and Alcides Lanza Perdomo v. Uruguay |
|
| Date:
3/4/1980 |
| Decision-making body:
Human Rights Committee |
| Legal reference:
CCPR/C/9/D/8/1977 |
|
Arrest and arbitrary detention - Due process - Application of freedom of expression - Right to free expression of political opinions - Violation of articles 7, 9, 10, 14 and 19. |
| |
|
|
| Case Law
Websites |
|
|
Commonwealth Human Rights Case Law Database (The) |
| Languages:
English |
|
|
Allows you to browse or search for summaries of recent human rights decisions from national courts in Commonwealth jurisdictions. |
|
Council of Europe - Human Rights Web |
| Languages:
English French |
|
|
Search the case-law of the European Convention on Human Rights control bodies. |
|
Inter-American Court of Human Rights |
| Languages:
English Spanish |
|
|
Search the case law of the Inter-American Court. |
|
International Human Rights Law Database (The) |
| Languages:
English |
|
|
A resource for those seeking summaries and commentaries on international human rights case law, the database allows searches by text, 47 subjects, 81 states, 9 treaties, 9 decisionmaking bodies, and date. A powerful and quick database. |
|
Religion and Law Research Consortium - Documentary Library |
| Languages:
English |
|
|
Database containing laws, treatises, articles, case law or any other important writing that can explain or affect the religious freedoms of people anywhere in the world. Searchable by keyword, country, organization, type, language, and date. |
|
Repertorio de Jurisprudencia del Sistema Interamericano de Derechos Humanos |
| Languages:
Spanish |
|
|
Directory of the case law of the Inter-American Court 1980 - 1997. |
| |
|
|
| Reports |
|
|
For the Record 2001: The United Nations Human Rights System |
|
|
Human Rights Internet |
Date:
2001 |
| Reference:
Human Rights Internet, 2001 |
| Source:
Human Rights Internet |
|
FTR is an electronic annual report that provides summaries of relevant human rights information generated within the UN system. An important reference tool for those active in national and international social justice movements, the report also aids in simplifying the human rights work of the UN for the uninitiated, members of national legislative assemblies, journalists, students, teachers and the general public.
Produced with the support of the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade since 1997, the report is organized thematically as well as by country and covers all relevant UN documentation over a full calendar year. These include: State reports prepared for the six human rights treaty bodies and the concluding observations of the experts who review those reports; documentation, resolutions and decisions by various UN system bodies. |
| |
|
|
| Books |
|
|
Jurisprudence de la Cour Européenne des Droits de l'Homme |
|
|
Vincent BERGER |
| Reference:
Paris, Dalloz, 2000 |
| Languages:
French |
|
Analytical summaries of the most important decisions rendered by the European Court of Human Rights since its creation in 1959.
This book does not contain commentaries on the of the soundness of the decisions or the Court's reasoning. |
|
Droits de l'homme et libertés fondamentales |
|
|
Jacques ROBERT |
| Reference:
Paris, Montchrestien, 1996 |
| Languages:
French |
|
Public liberties and legal systems: 1) in the declarations of rights; 2) procedures of recognition of liberties ; 3) ways of protection.
Liberties recognised under modern French law. |
|
Freedom of Religion Under the European Convention on Human Rights |
|
|
Carolyn EVANS |
| Reference:
Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2001 |
| Languages:
English |
|
Historical background to the drafting of Article 9 - Content of the interests protected - Applicability of Article 9(1) - Defining religion or belief – “Thought and conscience” vs “religion and belief” - The contemplative and expressive facets... |
|
La protection internationale de la liberté religieuse |
|
|
J.-F. Flauss Ed. - Jean-François FLAUSS |
| Reference:
Bruxelles, Publications de l'Institut International des DH, Bruylant, 2002 |
| Languages:
English French |
|
Evolution of religious freedom in international law - interdiction of religious discrimination - autonomy of will - conscientious objection - freedom of expression - public order - relations between the state and religious groups |
|
La Grèce devant la Cour européenne des droits de l'homme |
|
|
P. Lambert Ed. |
| Reference:
Bruxelles, Droit & Justice, Bruylant, 2003 |
| Languages:
|
|
Analysis of the European Court of Human Right's case-law concerning Greece. |
| |
|
|
| Periodicals |
|
|
Démocratie et droits de l'homme : La liberté religieuse en tant que droit de l'homme |
|
| Reference:
Département d'Etat des Etats-Unis |
| Contact:
ejdemos@pd.state.gov |
http://usinfo.state.gov/journals/itdhr/1101/ijdf/ijdf1101.htm |
| Languages:
French |
|
Special issue: religious freedom. Report on religious freedom in the world, its origins. The diversity of religions in the US. Four pillars of religious freedom (treaties). Measures to be taken by the US to protect religious freedom. |
|
Human Rights Tribune |
|
| Reference:
Ottawa, Human Rights Internet |
| Contact:
hri@hri.ca |
http://www.hri.ca/cftribune/ |
| Languages:
English |
|
A tri-yearly publication of HRI (Human Rights Internet). Addresses all areas of human rights from a non-governmental perspective world-wide. Articles about important events - NGO reports - Analysis of the work of human rights organizations. |
|
Revue trimestrielle des droits de l'homme |
|
| Reference:
Bruxelles, Nemesis |
| Contact:
vf@lambert.be |
http://www.revtrdrh.be |
| Languages:
French |
|
Specialized periodical. Articles on doctrine - Commentaries on the decisions of various courts - Extracts of new decisions - Bibliographies - News: conferences... Special issues. |
| |
|
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| Human Rights
Actors |
|
|
Amnesty International (AI) |
|
|
http://www.amnesty.org |
Type:International or Regional Organization |
|
Amnesty International is a worldwide campaigning movement that works to promote internationally recognized human rights. |
|
Center for Religious Freedom - A Division of Freedom House (CFRF) |
|
|
http://www.freedomhouse.org/religion/ |
Type:NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) |
|
Autonomous division of the NGO Freedom House, founded in 1941 by Eleanor Roosevelt. Mission: to fight religious persecution through reports denouncing violations of freedom of religion. Very politicized activist organization. |
|
Humanitarian Law Center (HLC) |
|
|
http://www.hlc.org.yu/ |
Type:NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) |
|
A regional, non-profit NGO that monitors respect for human rights in Serbia, Montenegro and Kosovo. It advocates, investigates and reports on breaches of international humanitarian law, investigates human rights violations, and represents victims. |
|
International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) |
|
|
http://iarf-religiousfreedom.net |
Type:NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) |
|
NGO with consultative status at the UN whose objectives consist of fighting religious intolerance around the world. IARF organizes regional conferences and a triennial congress. Interesting network. |
|
International Human Rights Network of Academies and Scholarly Societies (U.S. National Academy of Sciences) () |
|
|
http://www4.nas.edu/oia/oiahome.nsf/web/network?Op |
Type:Network |
|
Assists scientists and scholars around the world who are subjected to severe repression solely for having nonviolently exercised their rights. Promotes human rights consciousness-raising and institutional commitment to human rights work worldwide. |
|
International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) |
|
|
http://www.ishr.org/ |
Type:NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) |
|
Represented in 24 countries by National Sections with 20,000 members altogether. It seeks to help those people who are in need and struggle non-violently for their rights. ICC - Human rights through force? -
children's rights - religious freedom. |
|
Network of Nordic human rights institutes () |
|
|
http://www.nordichumanrights.net/ |
Type:Network |
|
Religious freedom - Economic, social and cultural rights - Education - Europe. |
|
OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR (OSCE)) |
|
|
http://www.osce.org/odihr |
Type:International or Regional Organization |
|
Carries out projects, policy, publications and monitoring missions in the areas of human rights and democratization, minorities, institution-building, election observation, and more. |
|
Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on freedom of religion or belief () |
|
|
http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/7/b/mrei.htm |
Type:United Nations System |
|
Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on freedom of religion or belief |
|
Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression () |
|
|
http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/7/b/mfro.htm |
Type:United Nations System |
|
Mandate established in 1993... |
|
Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on the right to education () |
|
|
http://www.unhchr.ch/html/menu2/7/b/medu.htm |
Type:United Nations System |
|
Mandate established in 1998, by resolution 1998/33 of 17 April 1998. |
|
The Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief (Oslo Coalition) |
|
|
http://www.hri.ca/partners/forob/welcome.htm |
Type:Network |
|
The Oslo Coalition on Freedom of Religion or Belief is a coalition of experts and representatives from religious or belief communities, academia, NGOs, international organizations and civil society, which monitors and promotes freedom of religion. |
| |
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|