Statement
by HG Bishop Angaelos in response to the European Court of Human Rights ruling
in the case of Nadia Eweida v. The United Kingdom
The recent ruling by the
European Court of Human Rights on 15 January 2013 in favour of Nadia Eweida, a
British Airways employee and Egyptian Christian who was disallowed from wearing
a cross to work, signifies the importance of the religious rights and freedoms
of individuals within the United Kingdom and European Union.
Having found her employer in
contravention of article 9 of the European Convention of Human Rights, the
Court honoured the rights and freedoms of Nadia Eweida to manifest her
religious beliefs, indicating that a person’s faith should be a matter of
private choice.
While thankful to the
European Court for its positive involvement on this occasion, we also ask that Her
Majesty’s Government and the judicial system within the United Kingdom continue
upholding the same principles based on this ruling. It is of course unfortunate
that this case needed to be referred to the European Court; had the judicial
system within the United Kingdom dealt it in the same manner, it would have
given a clear message that there is a clear regard for faith and religious
practice. It would also have spared much wasted time, effort and expense over
years that could have been put to much greater use in numerous directions.
Following from this ruling,
it is also encouraged that the private and public sectors within the United
Kingdom likewise honour these principles, as human rights and civil liberties should
not purely be considered for certain matters and public opinion and policy, and
not others.
Having provided personal and
pastoral support for Nadia throughout her courageous effort to seek justice
over the past 6 years I, along with The Coptic Orthodox Church in the United
Kingdom, have considered her case one of extreme importance, offering support
in laying a precedent for people who may be placed in a similar predicament. Witnessing
the many parts of the world in which the significant human rights of faith and
belief are limited or even revoked, whether passively or aggressively, we hold
fast to calling for these God-given rights to be upheld and protected in the
United Kingdom.
