Religious Freedom Under Scrutiny

International human rights conventions and constitutional traditions guarantee the freedom of religion or belief, but it remains a source of political conflict, legal controversy, and intellectual debate. Heiner Bielefeldt and Michael Wiener's book explores various critiques of this right and provides an overview and analysis of violations around the world. They argue that without freedom of religion or belief, human rights cannot fully address our complex needs, yearnings, and vulnerabilities, and ignoring or marginalizing it would weaken the system's plausibility, attractiveness, and legitimacy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 19 February 2022
Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press

Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right that is deeply ingrained in international human rights conventions and constitutional traditions worldwide. Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1966, explicitly guarantees the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. Similarly, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, also adopted by the General Assembly in 1966, includes similar provisions. A robust jurisprudence on freedom of religion or belief has been developed based on the European Convention on Human Rights, which was drafted by the Council of Europe in 1950. Regional guarantees of religious freedom or belief are also found in the framework of the Organization of American States and the African Union. Numerous national constitutions recognize the right to freedom of religion or belief, and some governments have demonstrated a strong commitment to promoting this right on the international stage.

Despite these advancements, freedom of religion or belief remains a source of political conflict, legal controversy, and intellectual debate. In their book, Religious Freedom Under Scrutiny, Heiner Bielefeldt and Michael Wiener examine various critiques leveled at this right. They explore questions such as whether freedom of religion contributes to the spread of Western neoliberal values at the expense of religious and cultural diversity. They also examine whether religious freedom can serve as a platform for antifeminist agendas within the human rights framework. Drawing on their extensive experience in the field, Bielefeldt and Wiener provide a comprehensive typological overview and analysis of violations around the world that illustrate the underlying principles of religious freedom or belief and the relationship between this right and other human rights.

Religious Freedom Under Scrutiny argues that without freedom of religion or belief, human rights cannot fully flourish. It emphasizes the importance of protecting and promoting religious freedom or belief as a vital component of a just and democratic society. The book provides valuable insights into the challenges and complexities surrounding religious freedom or belief and offers practical recommendations for addressing these issues. It is a must-read for scholars, policymakers, activists, and anyone interested in understanding the importance of religious freedom or belief in the contemporary world.

Weight: 602g
Dimension: 160 x 237 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780812251807