Rumania - Priests do not have the right to freedom of association (2013)

In Sindacutul ‘Pastorul Cel Bun’ v. Romania [2013] ECHR 646 the European Court of Human Rights overruled an earlier decision of the Third Section in favour of the Romanian government with respect to the refusal to register a trade union established by priests. The Archdiocese is opposed to registration arguing the union’s constitution was incompatible with the duties accepted by priests. The Grand Chamber recognised there was interference in the right to freedom of association but considered this interference necessary and proportionate with respect to the protection of Article 9. It was held that in refusing to register the union, “the State was simply declining to become involved in the organisation and operation of the Romanian Orthodox Church, thereby observing its duty of neutrality under Article 9 of the Convention”.