UNITED KINGDOM
There is no written constitution as such but government policy and long-standing general practise protect freedom of religion.
The United Kingdom is also a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights. Soon after a new British government took office in 1997, it incorporated the Convention into domestic law through legislation in the form of a Bill of Rights. Even before implementation of this measure, the Labour Party’s position paper had noted that the English courts may take account of the Convention “in limited circumstances” as the “Convention can and does influence our domestic proceedings” in certain respects. This includes “where the courts have a discretion to act one way or the other, they will seek to act in a way which does not violate the Convention” and “when the courts are called upon to decide what public policy demands, it has been held to be legitimate that they shall have regard to our international obligations enshrined in the Convention as a source of guidance.”
The United Kingdom has consistently represented to international bodies that the principles of equality and nondiscrimination required by its international agreements are followed. The government noted in 1995 to the UN Human Rights Committee:
“The United Kingdom continues to believe that the right to equality before the law and the entitlement without discrimination to the equal protection of the law are fully recognised in the established tradition of the common law.”
Britain has a large resident population of Jews, Muslims, Sikhs and Hindus, who have complained of discrimination in the media, in that they receive only a small share of the time available for religious broadcasting. In 1997, the Runymede Commission found that misconceptions of Islam as a rigid and intolerant religion were frequently used to justify discrimination against Muslims.
Some years ago, the Home Office indicated awareness of the need for dialogue between the government and minority religions by funding the formation of INFORM (Information Network Focus on Religious Movements), an organisation set up to conduct research into new religious movements and to provide objective and balanced information about them.
In October 1995, the then Home Secretary refused entry to the Rev. Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Unification Church, who had planned to hold a service in Britain for 1,200 people. The English High Court reviewed the matter and ruled that the decision to exclude him should be reconsidered; the Home Secretary refused, saying he would have to reapply. By the time the Court had ruled, however, Rev. Moon’s tour itinerary had taken him beyond Britain.
| Previous | Glossary | Contents | Next |
| Your View | Related Sites | Home page |
humanrightsofficer@scientology.org
© 1999-2004 Church of Scientology International. All Rights Reserved.