Coherence (and Consistency) or Organized Hypocrisy? Religious Freedom in the Law of the European Union

Pasquale Annicchino 

European University Institute - Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS)
November 10, 2014

M.C. Foblets, K. Alidadi, J.S. Nielsen, Z. Yanasmayan (ed.), Belief, Law and Politics. What Future for a Secular Europe?, Ashgate, December 2014 (Forthcoming) 
Abstract:      

In recent years, many research projects have investigated the relationship between law and religion, especially in the United States and Europe. Among them, the RELIGARE (Religious Diversity and Secular Models in Europe. Innovative Approaches to Law and Policy) project has deliberately chosen to focus on a number of definite issues representing the core of these relationships: the labor market, public space, the family, and State support to religious groups. The RELIGARE final report has highlighted the importance of two key principles: ‘inclusive state neutrality’ and ‘justice as even-handedness’. The purpose of this contribution is to investigate and assess the coherence (and consistency) of EU action in the field by comparing the action of EU institutions internally with their external relations, taking into consideration the findings of the RELIGARE report.

Number of Pages in PDF File: 15

Keywords: Religious Feedom; European Union; Lisbon Treaty

Full text available at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2522536