Workshop 2: Change of Religion or Belief, Enabling the Environment

Abstract

1 Not a once in a life time choice, assigned at birth, limited or unchangeable due to the adoption of a particular religion or belief. 2 An individual right in the sense that a group should not assume or assign religion or belief to individuals and coerce them not to change. 3 As stated in Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) “No-one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice.” 4 Th e Human Rights Committee has observed in para. 5 of its General Comment 22 on Article 18 of the ICCPR “Th e Committee observes that the freedom to “have or to adopt” a religion or belief necessarily entails the freedom to choose a religion or belief, including the right to replace one’s current religion or belief with another or to adopt atheistic views, as well as the right to retain one’s religion or belief. Article 18.2 bars coercion that would impair the right to have or adopt a religion or belief, including the use of threat of physical force or penal sanctions to compel believers or non-believers to adhere to their religious beliefs and congregations, to recant their religion or belief or to convert. Policies or practices having the same intention or effect, such as, for example, those restricting access to education, medical care, employment or the rights guaranteed by article 25 and other provisions of the Covenant, are similarly inconsistent with article 18.2. Th e same protection is enjoyed by holders of all beliefs of a non-religious nature.”