Euro-MP Calls On All Member States To Respect Religious Expression

1.41.31pm GMT Wed 23rd Feb 2005

A written declaration on religious rights and freedoms in EU is being launched in the European Parliament today. This follows the French Government's decision last September to ban articles of faith in public schools.

The declaration similar to an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons calls on member states to allow outward expression of individual faith and urges the French Government rethink its ban.

West Midlands Liberal Democrat Euro-MP Liz Lynne, who last year launched a petition calling on the French Government to respect the fundamental right of religious expression, said that she hoped all members would support the declaration.

She said:

"The law in France breaches fundamental rights all Europeans have to religious freedom and should be challenged in the European Court of Human Rights. I will continue to campaign against this ban because other countries are following France's lead. Some states in Germany have also banned civil servants, teachers, and emergency service workers from wearing articles of faith.

"My petition received over 4,000 signatures, from people across the West Midlands and across all faiths. With this written declaration we will send a message to the French Government and others that this law goes against everything the European Union stands for."

ENDS