P5_TA-PROV(2003)0012

A5-0451/2002

European Parliament resolution on the situation concerning basic rights in the European Union (2001) (2001/2014(INI))

The European Parliament,

Chapter 2: Freedoms

Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

Calls on Greece to recognise the right of conscientious objection to military service without restriction and without reference to any religious grounds, to introduce forms of alternative service which do not last longer than compulsory military service and to release immediately all those serving prison sentences in this connection;

Calls on the Member States to guarantee religious pluralism, through equal treatment of all religions and to ensure that religious and secular views are respected and can be expressed on an equal footing;

Recommends that Member States fight the unlawful activities of so-called sects, which threaten the physical or mental integrity of individuals, and in so doing to uphold the principles of the rule of law and apply the normal procedures of criminal and civil law, in line with the views expressed by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe⁽¹¹⁾;

Considers that the freedom no longer to adhere to a religion or ideology and to leave the community concerned should also be deemed a fundamental freedom and that this right should be actively safeguarded by governments where necessary;

Calls on the Member States to ensure that this freedom does not infringe the autonomy of women and the principle of equality between women and men and that it is exercised in accordance with the requirement of separation between Church and State.

Motion

The European Parliament,

Chapter 2: Freedoms

Freedom of thought, conscience and religion

Calls on Finland and Greece to recognise the right of conscientious objection to military service without restriction and without reference to any religious grounds, to introduce forms of alternative service which do not last longer than compulsory military service and to release immediately all those serving prison sentences in this connection;

Calls on the Member States to pay particular attention to the sometimes unlawful or criminal activities of certain sects which threaten physical or mental harm to individuals, and in particular for:

-         launching, by independent specialist human rights bodies, of information and awareness-raising activities, so as to enable everyone to decide to join or leave a religious or spiritual movement;

-         the adaptation of judicial, fiscal and criminal law provisions which are adequate to counteract the unlawful activities of certain sects, with account being taken of the principles of the rule of law, so as to combat the illegal activities and breaches of individual rights committed by some sects, which should be refused the recognition as religious or spiritual organisations which brings them tax advantages and a degree of legal protection;

Considers that the freedom no longer to adhere to a religion or ideology and to leave the community concerned should also be deemed a fundamental freedom and that this right should be actively safeguarded by governments where necessary;

Calls on the Member States to ensure that this freedom does not infringe the autonomy of women and the principle of equality between women and men and that it is exercised in accordance with the requirement of separation between Church and State.