European Convention on Human Rights

ECHR - Article 9: Conscience and religion

Article 9 – conscience and religion

Main article: Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights

Article 9 provides a right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This includes the freedom to change a religion or belief, and to manifest a religion or belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance, subject to certain restrictions that are "in accordance with law" and "necessary in a democratic society".

Relevant cases are:

· Kokkinakis v. Greece [1993] ECHR 20

· Universelles Leben e.V. v. Germany [1996] (app. no. 29745/96)

· Buscarini and Others v. San Marino [1999] ECHR 7

· Pichon and Sajous v. France [2001] ECHR 898

· Leyla Şahin v. Turkey [2004] ECHR 299

· Leela Förderkreis E.V. and Others v. Germany [2008] ECHR

· Lautsi v. Italy [2011] ECHR 2412

· S.A.S. v. France [2014] ECHR 695

· Eweida v United Kingdom [2013] ECHR 2013