Browsing by Author "Rämä, Pilvi"

The purpose of this thesis is to study the phenomenon of religious conversion during asylum procedures in light of the international human rights law standards protecting the freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Specifically, this thesis seeks to identify particular legal questions which arise in the international standards and jurisprudence related to the issue of religious conversion during asylum procedures. Particular emphasis is placed on considering whether the freedom of religion aspects inherent in cases of religious conversion during asylum procedures have been addressed in the aforementioned standards and jurisprudence, and whether any safeguards regarding the freedom of religion have been identified. This thesis proceeds to address the above questions by considering a number of sources. First, the international human rights standards on the freedom of thought, conscience and religion are introduced. These standards include the inviolable right to choose, maintain, renounce or change one’s religion which cannot be subject to any limitations. Second, the key aspects of international refugee law are introduced, including particular guidance related to the issue of post-departure religious conversion. While these standards provide some guidance on the issue, they are not entirely clear nor always congruent with the international standards on the freedom of religion. Third, international human rights jurisprudence featuring religious conversion during asylum procedures is addressed. However, the jurisprudence does not – due to a number of procedural and substantive limitations – directly address the freedom of religion aspect inherent in such cases. As such, there are a number of questions regarding the protection of the freedom of religion in the context of asylum procedures which remain unanswered. In particular, assessing the credibility of religious conversion remains problematic under existing standards on the freedom of religion. This thesis concludes by suggesting how the protection of the freedom of religion in the context of asylum procedures might be improved.