Guidelines for Review of Legislation Pertaining to Religion or Belief

Excerpt:

“These Guidelines for Review of Legislation Pertaining to Religion or Belief were prepared by the members of the Advisory Panel of Experts on Freedom of Religion and Belief (Panel) of the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) in consultation with the European Commission for Democracy through Law (the Venice Commission) of the Council of Europe. The Guidelines were prepared to assist the OSCE Panel and the Venice Commission in their analyses of laws and draft legislation pertaining to the freedom of religion or belief. The Guidelines incorporate comments received from members of the Panel, as well as from members of the Venice Commission. The Guidelines were not designed to be a comprehensive statement of all relevant human rights standards related to freedom of religion or belief, but to provide an overview and suggestions for those who will be involved in the review of laws. These Guidelines were endorsed at the 59th plenary session of the European Commission for Democracy through Law on 18 June 2004 and were welcomed by the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly at its Annual Session in July 2004. It is expected that the Guidelines will be revised over time.”

For more information, read Guidelines for Review of Legislation Pertaining to Religion or Belief.