Introduction. The debate on the rights of religious minorities seems to have been stuck in a sterile juxtaposition between equal rights for all and special rights for minorities and/or their members. That is why, before addressing the European context, a short summary of the debate on the need to give minorities a specific legal protection may be helpful. The conclusions highlight that a combination of freedom of religion and protection of religious identity can offer the best chances both for minorities and majorities.
Materials and methods. Once the terms of this debate have been described, it will be possible to discuss whether there is “a European way” to address the issue of religious minority rights, and how effectively it answers the need for the protection and promotion of religious minority identity.
Results. Some minority rights scholars believe that fundamental rights, including that of religious freedom, in their current formulation and interpretation do not provide adequate protection for religious minorities. On the other hand, many law and religion scholars are concerned about the weakening of respect of the right to religious freedom, subject to increasing violations in every partof the world. We live in a historical period in which both the right of religious freedom and the rights of religious minorities are threatened by the resurgence of nationalistic drifts, often defended through invocation of the role played by a specific religion in developing the identity and the cul-ture of a people.
Сonclusions. It is important that minority rights and law and religion scholars join forces to reflect on the synergies between freedom of religion and religious identity. Protecting and develop-ing the religious identity of minorities is a way to strengthen freedom of religion for all, as this latter right is indivisible. A society where only religious majorities are free is not a society that respects freedom of religion. Better defining, within the framework of universal and indivisible hu-man rights, the specific state obligations towards religious minorities and the special measures that states should adopt to ensure appropriate conditions for the preservation and development of group identity which go beyond what follows from universal human rights, goes well beyond the interests of religious minorities and concerns every human being.
Ferrari SilvioProfessor
University of Milan
Milan, Italy
silvio.ferrari@unimi.it
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