In its reply of 15 July 2005 the Religious Education Department of the Ministry of Education (“the Department”) stated that, in the textbooks used in religious culture and ethics lessons

That interference had not been “prescribed by law” as both the Freedom of Conscience Act and the Education Act had proscribed religious activities at school.

They complained to the Court that the provision of compulsory religion and ethics classes in primary and secondary schools infringed their right to respect for their religious beliefs.

religious education course as follows: “...

ceremony in municipal school, without indoctrination aims: no violation Article 9 Article 9-1 Freedom of religion No effects from mere presence of seven-year-old child at one-off short religious ceremony

Education and instruction in religion and ethics shall be provided under the supervision and control of the State.

The parent applicants complained that they were obliged to submit a solemn declaration to seek exemptions for their children from a religious education course.

or belief and whose defence could entail restrictions on freedom of religion.

NATIONALE ; VU L'ORDONNANCE DU 31 JUILLET 1945 ET LE DECRET DU 30 SEPTEMBRE 1953 ; VU LE CODE GENERAL DES IMPOTS ; SUR LA FIN DE NON-RECEVOIR OPPOSEE PAR LE MINISTRE DE L'EDUCATION NATIONALE :

According to the applicant, the non-Orthodox children may either attend the Orthodox religious education or chose to leave the classroom when religion classes take place.

    In Europe, religious education is closely tied in with secular education.

    The Ordinance provided that religious education and ethics were optional subjects.

    Religions Act (no. 125-FZ of 26 September 1997) The relevant provisions of the Religions Act read as follows: “ Section 5: Religious education “1.

Zengin demanda à la direction de l'Education nationale et aux juridictions administratives de dispenser sa fille du cours de culture religieuse et connaissance morale.

Zengin présenta des demandes à la direction de l’Education nationale et aux juridictions administratives tendant à ce que sa fille soit dispensée du cours de culture religieuse et de connaissance morale

Nul ne peut, de quelque manière que ce soit, exploiter la religion, les sentiments religieux ou les choses considérées comme sacrées par la religion, ni en abuser dans le but de faire reposer, même partiellement

a given religion.

    Religions Act (no. 125-FZ of 26 September 1997) 31.     The relevant provisions of the Religions Act read as follows: Section 5: Religious education “1.

The absence of a mark for “religion/ethics” would be understood by any reasonable person as an indication that the third applicant had not followed religious-education classes, which were widely available