Initiatives Related to State Secularism as a Basis for Democracy and Human Rights:
France's Laïcité
Laïcité, or secularism, in France is deeply ingrained in the country's history and legal framework. The principle of laïcité aims to maintain a strict separation between religious institutions and the state. This separation is enshrined in the 1905 French law on the Separation of the Churches and the State, which officially separated church and state and established the secular nature of the French Republic. Laïcité ensures that the government remains neutral in religious matters, treating all religions equally under the law. It also guarantees freedom of religion and belief for all citizens while preventing any religious influence on public institutions. While laïcité has faced challenges and debates, particularly regarding the wearing of religious symbols in public spaces, it remains a fundamental principle in French society.
https://www.institutmontaigne.org/en/expressions/laicite-why-french-secularism-so-hard-grasp
India's Secularism
India's secularism is enshrined in its constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion and prohibits discrimination on religious grounds. Despite being a diverse country with various religious communities, including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, and others, India's secularism aims to treat all religions equally and maintain a secular state. The Indian state has a duty to protect the rights of religious minorities and ensure their full participation in society. India's secularism has faced challenges, including instances of communal violence and discrimination, but the country's commitment to secular governance remains a cornerstone of its democracy.
https://unacademy.com/content/upsc/study-material/modern-indian-history/the-idea-of-a-secular-india/
Tunisia's Transition to Democracy
Tunisia's transition to democracy following the Arab Spring was a significant milestone in the country's history. The new constitution adopted in 2014 reflects Tunisia's commitment to democracy, human rights, and secularism. Secularism in Tunisia aims to protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs, and prevent any religious influence on state institutions. The Tunisian state plays a role in safeguarding religious freedom and ensuring that all citizens can participate in political life without discrimination. While Tunisia's transition to democracy has faced challenges, including political instability and economic difficulties, the country's commitment to secular governance remains a key aspect of its democratic project.
https://www.idos-research.de/uploads/media/BP_6.2021.pdf
Turkey's Secular Tradition
Turkey has a long-standing tradition of secular governance, dating back to the reforms of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in the early 20th century. Atatürk implemented secular reforms to modernize Turkey and separate religion from the state. The principle of secularism, known as laiklik in Turkish, aims to maintain the neutrality of the state in religious matters and ensure equal treatment for all citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs. While Turkey has faced challenges to secularism in recent years, including the rise of political Islam, the country's secular tradition remains an important aspect of its identity and political system.
https://tcf.org/content/report/turkeys-troubled-experiment-secularism/
United States' Establishment Clause
The United States Constitution includes the Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion or favoring one religion over others. This principle ensures the separation of church and state and upholds religious freedom for all citizens. The Supreme Court has consistently upheld the Establishment Clause in various rulings, emphasizing the importance of secular governance in protecting individual rights.
European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) Rulings
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has issued several landmark rulings affirming the importance of secularism in upholding democracy and human rights in Europe. In cases such as Lautsi v. Italy and S.A.S. v. France, the court has emphasized the state's duty to maintain neutrality in religious matters and protect secularism as a fundamental principle of European democracy. These rulings highlight the role of the ECHR in safeguarding secular governance and religious freedom across Europe.
https://hudoc.echr.coe.int/eng#{%22itemid%22:[%22002-592%22]}