Recognising Religious Groups as Litigants: An International Law Perspective

Mark Fowler () and Alex Deagon
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Mark Fowler: School of Law, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2350, Australia
Alex Deagon: School of Law, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane City, QLD 4000, Australia

Laws, 2024, vol. 13, issue 2, 1-24

Abstract: The Australian Human Rights Commission has claimed that recognising religious corporations as litigants in religious discrimination claims departs from international human rights law, which only protects the rights of natural legal persons. In this article we respond to that claim by arguing that under international law, Australia should protect the ability of religious groups to be litigants, including corporations. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights requires Australia to respect and ensure individuals have the right to manifest their beliefs in community with others, and that such communities are protected against discrimination on religious grounds. This requirement entails granting religious groups the ability to pursue legal measures to preserve the enjoyment of these rights by their members.

Keywords: human rights; religious freedom; international law; constitutional corporations; anti-discrimination law (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: D78 E61 E62 F13 F42 F68 K0 K1 K2 K3 K4 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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