Morality and Religion in the Jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights

This course will address the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) jurisprudence concerning religion and morality. It will focus on a selection of ECtHR judgments with regard to the right to respect for private and family life, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and freedom of association, respectively, guaranteed by Articles 8 to 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The course will cover issues such as religious dress codes, abortion bans, and LGBTI+ rights. It will introduce students to the key issues and debates surrounding ECtHR’s case law dealing with religion and morality. It will also familiarize students with the basic components of the ECtHR’s methodology in Articles 8 to 11 cases, as well as the interpretative tools it employs, such as the margin of appreciation, European consensus, and proportionality.