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This written declaration commits only those who have signed it.
Written declaration No. 530 | Doc. 12993 | 28 June 2012
The autonomy of churches and religious communities
Considering that the autonomous existence of churches and religious communities is indispensable for pluralism in a democratic society,
Considering
- the Charter of the United Nations,
- the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 18),
- the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Article 18),
- the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (Article 6),
- the Helsinki Final Act (Article VII),
- the European Convention on Human Rights (Article 9) and the well-established case-law of the European Court of Human Rights,
- the Directive 78/2000/EC of 27 November 2000 (Article 4),
- the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (Article 10),
- the European Union Council Resolution of 16 November 2009,
The undersigned, members of the Parliamentary Assembly,
- reaffirm the utmost importance of the right to freedom of religion of churches and religious communities, implying the respect of the following principles: distinction between State and churches, doctrinal and institutional autonomy of the churches and religious communities, neutrality and impartiality of the State on religious matters;
- are concerned by the judgement of the 3rd Section of the European Court of Human Rights, Sindicatul Pastorul cel Bun v. Romania, which departs from the well-established case-law of the Court and has wide-ranging implications.