Reflections on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Security

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between the human right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief (FoRB) and security. It argues that FoRB and security are intricately intertwined and uses the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE) concept of comprehensive and co-operative security as a theoretical underpinning and ideal-type model from which to assess other approaches to security. Through this lens, it asserts that if sustainable security is an end-goal, and if FoRB helps to ensure it, arbitrary restrictions of this right, or intrusive interference into the lives of religious or belief communities, will ultimately only undermine security and should be avoided.

Keywords:

• Human rights
• freedom of religion or belief (FoRB)
• Organization of Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
• extremism
• security
• securitization
• peace-building

Notes

1 Poor definition is problematic as the breadth and vagueness of anti-extremism laws leave them open to arbitrary or even abusive application. See, for example: OSCE ODIHR, “Note on the Shanghai convention on combatting terrorism, separatism and extremism”, 2020, available at: https://www.legislationline.org/download/id/8837/file/382_TERR_BiH_21Sept2020_en.pdf

2 Much has been written on the dangers of creating hierarchies of, or categorizing, religions or beliefs with large brushstrokes, and of assuming that the presence of certain identity markers can be read as expressions of piety that should be feared. On the latter, see, for example: ENAR (2021) Suspicion, Discrimination and Surveillance: The impact of counter-terrorism law and policy on racialised groups at risk of racism in Europe. Available at: https://www.enar-eu.org/IMG/pdf/suspicion_discrimination_surveillance_report_2021.pdf

3 The concept of military industrial complex somewhat illustrates the point that bureaucracy itself can also sustain security paradigms, focus and spending on certain issues over others.

4 The comprehensive list of OSCE Commitments on Freedom of Religion or Belief can be found in ODIHR Submission to the Report of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief to the UN Human Rights Council at its 49th Session on The Rights of Persons Belonging to Religious or Belief Minorities in Situations of Conflict and Insecurity.

5 (Bhaskar 2002) Adapted from the argument made by Roy Bhaskar on peace/war in his work no metaReality.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Susan Kerr

Susan Kerr is the Senior Adviser on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw. Susan specialized on FoRB whilst working in the non-profit sector after having worked in different roles in the European Parliament in Brussels. Susan has a PhD in peace studies from the University of Bradford, an MBA from Durham University, and MA degrees from the Free University of Brussels and the University of Edinburgh.