The impact of lockdowns on religious freedoms
from Christian Concern:
Following the government’s restrictive lockdown measures to try to combat the spread of Covid-19, the Joint Committee on Human Rights launched a call for evidence on the impacts of local and national lockdowns.
The committee said it was seeking views on the impact that lockdown has on specific freedoms, including:
“The impact of lockdown on the freedom of religion and believe, and in particular on collective worship. Have interferences with the freedom of religion and belief been proportionate?”
Christian Concern submitted a response, which you can read in full.
The response raises concerns that previous lockdowns in both England and Wales were not proportionate:
“We argue that they violate the UK’s obligations under the ECHR by imposing criminal sanctions on churches, their congregations, and other people of faith. This interference particularly affects rights to manifest their beliefs in communal worship, teaching, practice, and observance.”
It also makes mention of several churches that were raided by the police during lockdown, including in Cardiff, Milton Keynes, North London and most recently in Brighton. In the case of New Hope Community Church, Cardiff, the police attended in force, dressed in riot gear and equipped with tasers.
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