COMECE

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The COMECE secretariat supports an ambitious human rights’ policy in its dialogue with the EU institutions. While embracing the vision that the right to religious freedom is the cornerstone of all human rights, it supports the view that European decision-makers should pay particular attention to this fundamental right, in particular to the human rights policy that the Union carries out in its external relations. Indeed, in numerous countries worldwide, violations of the right to religious freedom take place; harming religious minorities, including Christians, some even suffering persecution for their faith.

EU’s competence

The EU and its member states are under the obligation to respect and are indeed duty-bound to promote the basic freedoms, including religious freedom, both within the Union and throughout the world. In other words, they should guarantee respect for religious freedom, including that of religious minorities. Hence, the COMECE secretariat warmly welcomed the resolution adopted by the Council of the European Union on 16 November 2009, which reaffirmed, “the strong commitment of the European Union to the promotion and protection of freedom of religion or belief” and “its intention to continue to give priority to the issues as part of the European Union’s human rights policy”.

The Church's vision

unknown In 1965 Vatican Council II adopted the Declaration "Dignitatis Humanae", asserting:

“The human person has a right to religious freedom. This freedom means that all men are to be immune from coercion on the part of individuals or of social groups and of any human power, that no one is to be forced to act in a manner contrary to his own beliefs, whether privately or publicly, whether alone or in association with others, within due limits.”