Atheist Challenge to Orthodox Icons Heads to Human Rights Court
Europe’s top human rights court is weighing a challenge to Orthodox icons in Greek courtrooms, a case that could redefine how religious symbols are treated in public institutions.
STRASBOURG, FRANCE — The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) is preparing to examine a closely watched case challenging the display of Christian Orthodox icons in Greek public buildings, particularly courtrooms. The complaint was filed by the Union of Atheists against Greece on behalf of two atheists who argued that the presence of religious icons during court proceedings—especially in cases touching on religion—violated their right to a fair trial and freedom of conscience under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Greek courts rejected the claims, ruling that the icons did not compromise judicial impartiality. ADF International has intervened as a third party in support of Greece, citing the ECHR’s 2011 Grand Chamber ruling in Lautsi v. Italy, which upheld the presence of Crucifixes in public classrooms. The legal advocacy group maintains that removing religious symbols reflects a misunderstanding of secular neutrality.
ADF International further argues that state neutrality must not amount to hostility toward Christianity, emphasizing the deep cultural and historical significance of religious symbols in Greece. The Court’s eventual ruling could set an important precedent for how religious imagery is treated in public institutions across the Council of Europe’s 46 member states.
Previously, the UOJ reported on an abbot who was arrested for stealing religious artifacts.
