Religious freedom in a multi-faith society: The example of Hungary
Leszek Ćwikła
John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin , Polandhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-4048-6653
Abstract
Based on an analysis of the provisions of Hungarian legislation regulating the individual and institutional aspects of religious freedom, this study attempts to determine whether such legislation adequately protects this freedom. It concludes that all Hungarian citizens can equally exercise individual religious freedom. The state can combat behaviour that undermines this freedom by, among other things, enforcing criminal law provisions that define offences against it. Civil law ensuring the protection of personal rights and labour law requiring equal treatment and non-discrimination on the basis of religious beliefs also play an important role. By contrast, when it comes to the institutional religious freedom, the important fact is that the equality for religious communities is not ensured. In this aspect the state does not provide all citizens with the equal opportunity to freely and voluntarily exercise their right to religious freedom.
Keywords:
religious freedom, Church-State relations, Hungary, human rights, Constitution of Hungary, European Court of Human RightsReferences
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John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin
Dr hab., prof. KUL, Department of Negotiations and Mediation, Faculty of Law, Canon Law and Administration, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Al. Racławickie 14, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
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