een samenvatting in het Nederlands)

Transcription

1 Religious Symbols in Public Functions: Unveiling State Neutrality A Comparative Analysis of Dutch, English and French Justifications for Limiting the Freedom of Public Officials to Display Religious Symbols Religieuze symbolen in publieke functies: het ontsluieren van staatsneutraliteit Een vergelijkende analyse van Nederlandse, Engelse en Franse rechtvaardigingsgronden voor beperkingen op de vrijheid van publieke functionarissen om religieuze symbolen te tonen een samenvatting in het Nederlands) Les symboles religieux dans les fonctions publiques: de la neutralité de l'etat Une étude comparative des justifications néerlandaises, anglaises et francaises aux limitations de la liberté des agents publics d'exposer des symboles religieux (avec un résumé en PROEFSCHRIFT ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor aan de Universiteit Utrecht op gezag van de rector magnificus, prof.dr. G.J. van der Zwaan, ingevolge het besluit van het college voor promoties in het openbaar te verdedigen op vrijdag 23 november des middags te uur door Hana Maria Elisabeth van Ooijen geboren op 19 oktober 1980 te Seoul,

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface v CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Religious symbols... once more The main research question Two pillars The Dutch debate Three functions 6 Symbols manifesting religion or belief Purpose the study Threefold objective 10 Limitations and reservations 1.4 Set-up of the study Sources and methods Outline Conclusion 17 CHAPTER 2 THE DUTCH CONTEXT 2.1 Introduction Religion in the Netherlands Religious freedom The position of religion in the public sphere 23 State neutrality Public officials' freedom to display religious symbols to display religious symbols Police officers' freedom to display religious symbols State display religious symbols The initial indications of a challenge 36 Increasing debate on religion The particularity of the central issue The decision scheme of the Equal Treatment Commission 42

3 2.4.4 The deputy court clerk The non-uniformed police officers The state school intern Conclusion 50 CHAPTER 3 THE DUTCH DEBATE 3.1 Introduction The debate on the judiciary Direct or indirect discrimination Judicial impartiality and independence Role of the Regulation Court clerk in relation to the judge Separation of church and state The debate on the police Direct or indirect discrimination Lifestyle neutrality and uniformity Uniformed and non-uniformed service Contact with the public Separation of church and state The debate on public education Direct or indirect discrimination Denominational neutrality Teachers and their exemplary role Parents' and pupils' rights Separation of church and state The relevant points of contention Relation between the state and the public official Rights and freedoms of others State and society Overview Conclusion 77 CHAPTER 4 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK Introduction Exploring state neutrality Definition Rationale Implementation 87

4 4.2.4 Secularism Separation of church and state Exploring religious freedom Definition Rationale Implementation Building a model 101 Basic concepts Dynamics Implications 4.5 Applying the model to the points of contention Neutrality of the state towards the public official Neutrality of the public official towards the citizen Neutrality of the state towards the citizen Factors to evaluate the points of contention 4.6 Conclusion CHAPTER 5 EUROPEAN CONVENTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS 5.1 Introduction 5.2 The application of Article Everyone Religion or belief Manifestation of religion or belief Limitation clause Margin of appreciation State neutrality General principle Civil Judicial impartiality Educational neutrality Educational staffs neutrality Students' neutrality Neutrality of the educational curriculum and environment Other values Loyalty Authority Voluntary obligations Contractual arrangements Particular regime 152

5 5.6 Application of the conceptual model Dynamics of neutrality Neutrality of the state towards the public official citizen Neutrality of the state towards the citizen Conclusion 160 CHAPTER 6 FRANCE 6.1 Introduction Religion in France Religious State-citizen relation The position of religion in the public sphere State neutrality Public officials' freedom to display religious symbols Judicial to display religious symbols Police officers' freedom to display religious symbols State school to display religious symbols Debate in France 188 State neutrality in public service Conspicuous religious symbols at state schools Face veils in public Application the conceptual model Dynamics of neutrality Neutrality of the state towards the public official official citizen Neutrality of the state towards the citizen Conclusion 205 CHAPTER 7 ENGLAND 7.1 Introduction Religion in England Religious freedom State-citizen relation The position of religion in the public sphere State neutrality Public officials' freedom to display religious symbols Judicial officers' freedom to display religious symbols

6 Table Contents Police officers' freedom to display religious symbols State school to display religious symbols Debate in England 233 Public officials and religious manifestations Employees and religious manifestations Pupils and religious symbols Application the conceptual model Dynamics of neutrality Neutrality of the state towards the public official Neutrality of the public official towards the citizen Neutrality of the state towards the citizen Conclusion 251 CHAPTER 8 CONCLUSION 8.1 Introduction The multiple layers of Dutch debate Pluralism, pragmatism and change Several points of contention Concluding remarks The triangular model All roads lead to neutrality Three obligations and three actors Correspondence with points of contention Concluding remarks Minimum ECHR standards 265 Neutrality as a pluralist and a secular principle State towards the public official: rights can be limited or waived Public official towards the citizen: a religious symbol can jeopardize rights State towards citizens: a neutral and impartial organizer Concluding remarks Divergent approaches in France and England Neutrality in two opposite interpretations State towards the public official: absorption or individuality Public official towards the citizen: appearance or conduct State towards citizens: authority or representation Concluding remarks Questioning limitations in the Dutch context An implicit concept of state neutrality Public visibility and accommodation of religion 277

7 8.6.3 A differentiated conception the state State towards the public official: substantive neutrality Drawbacks of a formal dress policy for Dutch public officials Putting personification into perspective Public official towards the citizen: 'keeping up appearances' 283 Presumed bias is not equal to bias Symbolic proselytism is not equal to proselytism State towards the citizen: recognizable state Concluding remarks Concluding observations 293 Samenvatting Bibliography 317 Table of Cases 331 Curriculum Vitae 335