Freedom of conscience and confession in acts of international law and European law

Abstract

The subject of this article is religious freedom, which is one of the basic and most important values from the point of view of an individual. The scope of this freedom is subject to constitutional and international protection, as well as provided for in acts of internal law. Religious freedom is also protected on the basis of ultima ratio by means of criminal and civil law. This study focuses on the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights, as they exerted the greatest influence on the jurisprudence of the Polish Constitutional Tribunal. The study includes an analysis of the provisions of the constitution of April 2, 1997 relating to the issue of religious freedom in the individual and institutional aspect. Moreover, an attempt was made to answer the question whether the guarantees of religious freedom are adequately secured under international and national law.