International Legal Framework

International Legal Framework
Ι. Legislative Decree 53/1974 53/1974 (Α’ 256) On the ratification of the “Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms”, signed in Rome on 4 November 1950, as well as of its Additional Protocol, signed in Paris on 20 March 1952: Article 9 “1. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance. 2. Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of public order, health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others”.
ΙΙ. Law 945/1979 On the ratification of the “Act concerning the accession of Greece to the European Economic Community and the European Atomic Energy Community, as well as of the Agreement concerning the Accession of Greece to the European Coal and Steel Community”: Joint Declaration concerning Mount Athos.
ΙΙΙ. Law 2691/1999 Ratification of the Treaty of Amsterdam amending the Treaty on European Union, the Treaties establishing the European Communities and certain related acts, as well as the relevant protocols and declarations included in the Final Act: Declaration on the status of churches and non-confessional organizations.
IV. Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948): “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance”.
V. Article 9 Στο άρθρο 9 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, ratified by presidential decree 53/1974 (Α΄256) provides as follows: “1. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance. 2. Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public safety, for the protection of public order, health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others”.
VI. Article 10 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (2000/C 364/01): “1. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right includes freedom to change religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or in private, to manifest religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance”.
VII. Article 18 of the International Covenant on civil and political Rights, ratified by Law 2462/1997 (Α΄25): “1. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching. 2. No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief
of his choice. 3. Freedom to manifest one's religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.”