Denmark - 2012
Religion: Persons belonging to minorities face legal and practical obstacles in exercising or manifesting their religion or belief?
- Code:
- RED117
- Key Area:
- Public Life, Culture, Sport & Media
- Strand(s):
- Discrimination, Equality
| Short Answer |
Yes. |
| Qualitative Info |
The Danish Constitution secures the freedom of religion, but it does not encompass equality of religions. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark is the national church which is granted a special legal status that other religious societies do not have, e.g. in respect of finance and burial grounds. The question of indirect religious discrimination as regards employees’ wearing a religious symbol in the form of a head scarf has been brought before the courts on several occasions but with different results (See e.g. UfR 2000.2350 OE and UfR 2005.1265 H). In another case, a nursery teacher was fired because she did not eat any food during the Ramadan when the children were having lunch with the teachers. In this case the court found a violation of the prohibition of discrimination in the labour market (UfR 2008.1028 OE). |
| Groups affected/interested | Muslims |
| Type (R/D) | Islamophobia, Religious intolerance |
| Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas | Religion |
| External Url | http://fra.europa.eu/fraWebsite/attachments/Manifestations_EN.pdf |
| Situation(s) |
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| Library |
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