European Court Finds Greece Violated Religious Rights of Bar Applicant

Spero News today reports on a freedom of religion decision handed down last month by the European Court of Human Rights-- Alexandridis v. Greece (application number 19516/2006, ECHR, Feb. 21, 2008). The full text is available in French [word doc]. The Court held that Greece violated Art. 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights when it insisted that Theodoros Alexandridis, being sworn in as a member of the bar, sign a document indicating that he is not an Orthodox Christian before he was permitted to make a solemn declaration instead of taking a religious oath. The demand violated his right "not to have to manifest his religious beliefs". Alexandridis was awarded damages of 2000 Euros.