Freedom of Conscience and Conviction in the Spanish Constitutional System

Abstract

This text analyses the constitutional principles of the Spanish legal system in the area of religion: freedom of religion, religious equality, the laicity of the State and co-operation with religious denominations. It is based on these criteria that Spain defines freedom of conscience and conviction as a fundamental right. The author suggests that safeguarding these basic rights involves positive action on the part of all of the public powers, with the objective of guaranteeing the real, effective exercising of them.

Keywords

• Spain
• religion
• Constitution
• secularism
• pluralism