The European Court of Human Rights has considered a case that seeks to remove religious symbols and imagery from public buildings.
The case has been brought forward by two atheists who wish to remove Orthodox Christian icons that are displayed in Greek courtrooms, during hearings on religious matters.
The applicants argued that the icons’ presence was discriminatory, compromised the objectivity of the court, and violated their right to a fair trial, as well as their right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
Christian legal advocacy group ADF International intervened in Union of Atheists v. Greece, saying that Christian symbols such as icons and crosses reflected a nation’s history and traditions rather than imposing belief.
In a legal brief to the Strasbourg-based court, its senior counsel, Adina Portaru said: “The display of religious symbols in public spaces is in no way incompatible with human rights law.
“Public spaces should not be stripped of crosses, icons or other symbols with religious, cultural, and historical significance in the name of pluralism.”
The brief added that any principle of “state neutrality” should not amount to hostility towards Christianity, revealing that religious artwork demonstrated the relevance of the social, cultural, and historical context of Christianity in Greece.
Portaru told Premier Christian News: "This case is not an isolated case against Greece. It is a case that will have impact for the 46 Member States of the Council of Europe."
She explained that what is at stake "is whether public institutions, being courtroom or public administrative institutions, can still display crosses and icons on their walls and be faithful to their religious and cultural heritage".
Portaru described the applicants’ case as "active secular interference".
ADF has pointed to established practices across Europe, including crucifixes in Italian state buildings and Christian symbols in government buildings in Germany, Austria, Bavaria, France and Spain.
While the Greek courts previously denied the applicants requests to remove the icons, the European Court of Human Rights will now consider it in light of the parties’ submissions and the third-party interventions received.