This written declaration commits only those who have signed it.
Considering that the autonomous existence of churches and
religious communities is indispensable for pluralism in a democratic
society,
Considering
the Charter
of the United Nations,
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 18),
the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
(Article 18),
the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance
and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (Article 6),
the Helsinki Final Act (Article VII),
the European Convention on Human Rights (Article 9) and
the well-established case-law of the European Court of Human Rights,
the Directive 78/2000/EC of 27 November 2000 (Article
4),
the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
(Article 10),
the European Union Council Resolution of 16 November 2009,
The undersigned, members of the Parliamentary Assembly,
reaffirm the utmost importance
of the right to freedom of religion of churches and religious communities, implying
the respect of the following principles: distinction between State
and churches, doctrinal and institutional autonomy of the churches
and religious communities, neutrality and impartiality of the State on
religious matters;
are concerned by the judgement of the 3rd Section of the
European Court of Human Rights, Sindicatul Pastorul cel Bun v. Romania,
which departs from the well-established case-law of the Court and
has wide-ranging implications.
