EHF and the European Institutions
EHF and the European Union
Most countries in Europe are members of the European Union and its decisions are increasingly important in our lives. The EHF is uniquely placed to represent humanists and secularists in its institutions and we give this work a high priority.
Opposing Special Rights for Churches in the EU
Under the controversial Article 17* of the Treaty on the Functoning of the European Union as amended by the Lisbon Treaty of 2007 (previously Article 52 of the draft constitution), the EHF has rights of consultation with the European Commission. This special provision applies principally to the churches and other religious institutions. The EHF opposed it in a vigorous campaign for six years, but without success. Read about it here.* The Article in previous Treaty drafts and in previous debate about a possible EU Constitution was variously Article 37, 51 or 52 and briefly as 15B and 16C; it is so referred to in various documents reproduced on this website.
EHF and the European Commission
Now that our campaign has failed, we have decided reluctantly that we must take advantage of this opportunity rather than leave the floor to the churches. We have corresponded and had meetings with the President of the Commission. Read about this here.
EHF and the European Parliament
The EHF is particularly active in supporting the European Parliamentary Platform for Secularism in Politics (successor to the All Party Working Group on Separation of Religion and Politics). Read about this here.
The EHF from time to time has dealings with the six-monthly rotating presidency of the EU Council.
EHF and the EU Fundamental Rights Agency
The EHF is involved with the Fundamental Rights Agency (formerly the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia).
The EHF takes an active role as an NGO involved with the OSCE Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR)
Humanist work at the Council of Europe is the primary responsibility of IHEU - the International Humanist and Ethical Union - but the EHF is also involved.
Opposing Special Rights for Churches in the EU
EHF and the European Commission
EHF and the European Parliament
EHF and the EU Fundamental Rights Agency
EHF and OSCE
EHF and the Council of Europe