By way of introduction to the special issue, the article’s objective is threefold. First, it conceptually re-examines the often assumed correlation between the rule of law and economy. Secondly, it situates this conceptual relationship in the present crisis-ridden context of the European Union as synthesized in the contributions to the special issue. By so doing, it demonstrates that due to the EU’s pluralist nature, the economic and rule of law crises have had very different faces and consequences in different member states. Despite that the article in conclusion nevertheless tries to identify the shared patterns of the crisis and, in the inevitable absence of a single way of improving the situation, proposes at least a common one.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1024691569
The right to freedom of religion is one of the cornerstones of a free, pluralistic, tolerant and broadminded democratic society. However, it is not absolute but is protected within the context of other values. The article discusses and analyses over twenty most important cases concerning the exercise of religion in public space from the case load of the European Court of Human Rights. The Court protects freedom of exercise of religion based on the values of pluralism, tolerance and state neutrality, thereby taking into account the urgent social needs in every European society. In conclusion, it is individuals who are responsible for creating tolerant, pluralistic and free exercise of religion in public space in their respective European societies.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1024544609
The European economic crisis has severely affected socio-economic rights of hundreds of thousands. An economic crisis can also undermine a state’s institutional and financial ability to fully maintain the rule of law and protect human rights of its population. This article therefore examines the theoretical relationship between the rule of law and an economic crisis from the perspective of the socio-economic rights obligations under the European Convention of Human Rights. It attempts to adequately address the relationship between economic crisis, socio-economic human rights and rule of law by critically examining the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights. It asks one main question: Do states have obligations to maintain standards of the rule of law and socio-economic rights during an economic crisis? Finally, this article argues that states are obliged to maintain during the economic crises a reasonable minimum core of human rights and not to lower the standards of rule of law.
COBISS.SI-ID: 1024691313