Module 3 — International, Regional and National Legal Frameworks on ForB

Week 3 of the Certificate Programme in Freedom of Religion or Belief · 10 notional learning hours.

A working command of the law of religious freedom: universal instruments, the African regional system, and national constitutions and statutes — taught from a practitioner’s standpoint: what the law says, how it is enforced, and where the gaps are.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this module you will be able to:

• Identify the core provisions protecting ForB in international and African law
• Apply the legal test for permissible limitations on manifestation of belief
• Explain the mandate and limits of the African Commission and African Court
• Critically assess blasphemy, apostasy and religious-registration laws against international standards

Key topics

• UN framework: Charter (1945); UDHR Art. 18; ICCPR Arts. 18 & 27; the 1981 Declaration
• UN Special Rapporteur on FoRB and the Universal Periodic Review
• African system: ACHPR Art. 8; the African Commission and African Court
• AU foundations: Constitutive Act (2000); Agenda 2063 (Aspirations 3 & 5); Maputo Protocol (2003)
• National constitutions: establishment vs. secularity; registration regimes; blasphemy and apostasy laws
• The limitation test: prescribed by law, legitimate aim, necessity and proportionality

How this course is delivered

• A live session (90–120 minutes) on Zoom, Google Meet or Microsoft Teams, with a subject lead
• An interfaith panel addressing the theme from several traditions
• Recorded micro-lectures, readings and resources you can download (low-bandwidth friendly)
• A practical assessment activity

You can take this module on its own, or follow all eight modules through the full Certificate Programme.