The fine line between freedom of expression and respect for religious beliefs: when the right to criticize veers into hate speech against religious communities

This work explores the fine line between freedom of expression, safeguarded under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and respect for religious beliefs, protected under Article 9 of the same Convention. It first briefly explains the relationship between these two rights, as well as the relative permissible limitations. It then provides insights regarding the concept of blasphemy and state secularism. Furthermore, five cases brought before the European Court of Human Rights and concerning the conflict between Article 9 and 10 of the ECHR will be examined. This type of analysis was made possible by reading and comparing scholarly articles and chapters from miscellaneous volumes. The research is instrumental in explaining the approach adopted by the European Court in cases where the freedom to express ideas and opinions entered in collision with religious feelings of the faithful.