Home >
Law >
Human Rights >
Freedom from Religion and Human Rights Law

Freedom from Religion and Human Rights Law

Author: Marika McAdam
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 9781138632967
Published In: November 2017
Format: Hardback
Jurisdiction: U.K. ? Disclaimer:
Countri(es) stated herein are used as reference only

List Price: HKD 2,080.00

HKD 2,017.60 Save HKD 62.40 (3%)

Download Order Form

Add to Wishlist
| Add to Compare

Description
Contents

Details

Although human rights belong to all persons on the basis of their humanity, this book demonstrates that in the practice of international human rights law, the freedom to be non-religious or atheist does not receive the same protection as the freedom to be religious.

Despite the claimed universality of freedom of religion and belief contained in article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the key assertion made is that there is a hierarchy of religion and belief, with followers of major established religions enjoying high protection and low regulation at the top, and atheists and non-believers enduring high persecution and weaker protection at the bottom.

The existence of this hierarchy is proven and critiqued through three case study chapters that respectively explore the extent to which non-religious and atheist rights-holders enjoy freedom from proselytism, freedom from hate, and freedom from the religions of their parents.

Chapter 1: Freedom of Religion or Belief

1. The meaning of ‘religion’ and ‘belief’ in international law

2. ICCPR Article 18 and the plurality of religion and belief

3. Limitations to manifestations

4. Conclusion: The limits of article 18 to protect freedom from religion

Chapter 2: The Hierarchy of Religion and Belief

1. Established, major religions at the top of the hierarchy

2. New, unusual or emerging religions and beliefs

3. Non-religion and atheism at the bottom of the hierarchy

4. Conclusion: Non-religious and atheist rights-holders neglected

Chapter 3: Freedom from Proselytism

1. Proselytism as a manifestation of religion