The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) announced on May 28 that it rejected the request for referral from three UK Christians, Shirley Chaplin, Gary McFarlane and Lillian Ladele.
Positives
The ECHR challenged principles adopted by UK Courts. The ECHR recognised that the wearing of a cross and Christians’ sexual ethics were within Article 9 of the Convention (‘freedom of thought, conscience and religion’) and so, in principle, were freedoms to be protected. This is a significant improvement on the position of the UK courts.
Also, the UK government had suggested that the individual’s freedom of religion had been protected, as in each of the three cases they were free to resign and find other jobs. The ECHR ruled that this was not sufficient to guarantee religious freedom.