Freedom of Expression of Religion

It is necessary to be conscious of the constitutional values, principles and rights, to illuminate them for others, and to demand of the state and other authorities that these rights are consistently enforced in practice. The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Slovenia is the ultimate guardian of constitutionality, legality, and fundamental human rights and freedoms in Slovenia. In its judicial practice, the Constitutional Court has also ruled on the freedom of religion. From the viewpoint of citizens as well as of all natural and legal persons, an issue of special importance is the expression of religion. Namely, this issue concerns the practical aspects of the freedom of religion, primarily the rights of the individual and of the civil society, and the duties of the state. Therefore, this article sums up and systematically shows the topical and concrete standpoints of the Constitutional Court on the expression or profession of religion. Individuals and the civil society can invoke them in realizing and enforcing theirrights, whereas all authorities, the state as well as the local ones, must submit to them.