Depoimento de Joseph Weiler, advogado que representou várias das partes que procuravam a revogação da decisão anterior do Tribunal, no caso que envolvia a presença de crucifixos nas escolas públicas italianas, e se isso estava, ou não, em conformidade com os princípios gerais europeus de imparcialidade religiosa dos Estados (para que se acalmem as possíveis alegações dos chamados conflitos de interesse, convém recordar que Weiler é judeu):
"Overturning the decision of the Chamber represents a rejection of a 'One Size Fits All' Europe and a vindication of its pluralist tradition in which equal dignity is accorded to the constitutional choices of a France and a Britain, an Italy and a Sweden and the other myriad formulae for recognizing religious symbols in the public space," Weiler said. "Europe is special in that it guarantees at the private level both freedom of religion and freedom from religion, but does not force its various peoples to disown in its public spaces what for many is an important part of the history and identity of their states, a part recognized even by those who do not share the same religion or any religion at all."
"Overturning the decision of the Chamber represents a rejection of a 'One Size Fits All' Europe and a vindication of its pluralist tradition in which equal dignity is accorded to the constitutional choices of a France and a Britain, an Italy and a Sweden and the other myriad formulae for recognizing religious symbols in the public space," Weiler said. "Europe is special in that it guarantees at the private level both freedom of religion and freedom from religion, but does not force its various peoples to disown in its public spaces what for many is an important part of the history and identity of their states, a part recognized even by those who do not share the same religion or any religion at all."
(...)
"A particular spirit of tolerance (...) which explains how in countries such as, say, Britain or Denmark to give but two examples, where there is an established state church no less -- Anglican and Lutheran respectively -- Catholics, Jews, Muslims and, of course, the many citizens who profess no religious faith, can be entirely ‘at home,’ play a full role in public life including the holding of the highest office, and feel it is ‘their country’ no less than anyone else. It is an important model for the world of which Europe can be justly proud."
(...)
"The prohibition of religious symbols should not be understood as a denigration of religion or religious people and the requirement of a religious symbol such as the cross, should not be understood as denigrating other religions or those who do not profess a religious faith at all" . (...) "For the most part, this spirit is a contemporary European reality, Italy being a shining example.”
"A particular spirit of tolerance (...) which explains how in countries such as, say, Britain or Denmark to give but two examples, where there is an established state church no less -- Anglican and Lutheran respectively -- Catholics, Jews, Muslims and, of course, the many citizens who profess no religious faith, can be entirely ‘at home,’ play a full role in public life including the holding of the highest office, and feel it is ‘their country’ no less than anyone else. It is an important model for the world of which Europe can be justly proud."
(...)
"The prohibition of religious symbols should not be understood as a denigration of religion or religious people and the requirement of a religious symbol such as the cross, should not be understood as denigrating other religions or those who do not profess a religious faith at all" . (...) "For the most part, this spirit is a contemporary European reality, Italy being a shining example.”
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Ver este vídeo de Joseph Weiler no Tribunal Europeu dos Direitos Humanos:
