宗教信仰自由的规范化解读——以欧洲人权法院判例为视角

Standardized Interpretation of Freedom of Religion:Perspective of Cases of the European Court of Human Rights

在国际人权法律文件以及各国宪法中,宗教信仰自由普遍被作为公民的一项基本权利得到了确认和保障。《欧洲人权公约》第9条也规定个人享有思想、良心和宗教信仰自由。欧洲人权法院在司法实践中发展出了判断一项国家行为是否侵犯个人宗教信仰自由的五个审查步骤,分别是:1.审查当事人的申诉是否落入《欧洲人权公约》第9条权利的保护范围;2.国家的行为是否构成对申诉人该权利的侵害;3.国家的行为是否是符合国内法的规定;4.此行为是否追求合法正当的目的;5.此行为是否是民主社会中所必须的。本文聚焦于前两个步骤,重点讨论在欧洲人权法院的判例法系统中如何界定宗教信仰自由的保护范围,以及何者可构成对一项基本权利的干预。

As one of the most important fundamental rights of human being in modern society,freedom of religion was confirmed by the international human rights legal documents and the constitutions of most countries in the world. Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights also prescribed that everyone has the right to freedom of thought,conscience and religion. The European Court of Human Rights in its practice has developed five steps to examine whether a violation to the Convention exists,that is:1)Does the complaint fall within the scope of the provision? 2)Has there been any interference with the right guaranteed? 3)If so,was it in accordance with the law? 4)Does it pursue a legitimate aim? 5)Is it necessary in a democratic society? This essay focus on the first two steps and try to analyze the following questions in the system of the case-law of the Court:1)What is the scope of the right of freedom of religion;2)What will constitute an interference with the right.