Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697641355262.pdf (Australia)
Dear Committee Secretary I would like to clearly and respectfully object to the re-defining of marriage between a man and a woman, it is a very real example of the right to freedom of religion or belief that is being questioned in our country.

Our Australian history has been built on respect and allowance of this freedom to every man, woman and child.

It cannot be denied that the implications of this fundamental human right if was marriage was redefined.
Countries that have legalized same-sex marriage are already experiencing increasing restrictions of free speech and religious freedom when their marriage laws were changed.

Also a recorded fact that where it has been redefined, businesses have been sued, loss of livelihoods ,loss of jobs and even jail time ..... ordinary people who are suppose 'to have' and 'should have' the basic human right to object.

This fundamental right applies to 'all' people.


The right to freedom of religion does include the freedom to practice those beliefs – it is not confined only to being free to worship.

This is clearly recognised in both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPRs, Article 18 ) which expressly provides “Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
This right shall include freedom to …" to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.” The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHRs, Article18) also recognises the right of freedom of religion to include the right “to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.” The right to conscientious objection in health care is seriously impacted by laws taking away the 'right to conscientious objection' Abortion laws which require health professionals to refer a patient to another practitioner if they have a conscientious objection to abortion.
Section 8 of the Victorian Abortion Law Reform Act and Section 7 of the Tasmanian Reproductive Health (Access to Terminations) Act.

Proposed euthanasia/assisted dying laws in Australia have had similar provisions.

Laws such as Victoria’s Health Complaints Act 2016 which restrict counsellors in counselling on homosexual attraction.
Again I would like to say respectfully that these basic human rights of freedom belong to all people ...... the redefining and restrictions does not belong to a minority ..... freedom of religion and belief is a fundamental human right for ALL.

Your Sincerely Piety Morley Inquiry into the status of the human right to freedom of religion or beliefSubmission 89 1.
The push to redefine marriage as other than the union of a man and a woman is the most pertinent example of the way in which the right to freedom of religion or belief is being brought into question in Australia.

· Many people will not agree with redefining marriage as other than the union of a man and a woman.
If marriage were so redefined it would expose people and organisations to the risk of complaints under state and territory anti-discrimination laws if they express their view of marriage or cannot comply with or conform to changed social, educational or legal requirements that flow from that redefinition.

There are huge implications, not just for religious freedoms but for other rights and freedoms such as freedom of speech, employment and education.
· The right to freedom of religion does include the freedom to practice those beliefs – it is not confined only to being free to worship.

· This is clearly recognised in both the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPRs, Article 18 ) which expressly provides “Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.
This right shall include freedom to … to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.” The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHRs, Article18) also recognises the right of freedom of religion to include the right “to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.” · There are numerous precedents in foreign jurisdictions of business people being prosecuted and fined for declining to provide services for same-sex weddings on grounds of religious beliefs or conscience.
Here are some of them.

2.

Anti-discrimination laws in Australian states and territories, which provide that you cannot discriminate on the grounds of a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, mean that people and organisations would be exposed to the risk of complaints of discrimination if they did not agree with or cannot comply with or conform to changed social, educational or legal requirements that flow from a redefinition of marriage as other than the union of a man and a woman.
· Rights and freedoms such as free speech, the prior right of parents to decide the education they want for their children and the right to hold and express religious or cultural beliefs about marriage without being discriminated against in employment or education would all be impacted by anti-discrimination laws if marriage were so redefined.

More.

Inquiry into the status of the human right to freedom of religion or beliefSubmission 89 3.
Laws taking away the right to conscience: · The right to conscientious objection in health care is seriously impacted by - Abortion laws which require health professionals to refer a patient to another practitioner if they have a conscientious objection to abortion.

Section 8 of the Victorian Abortion Law Reform Act and Section 7 of the Tasmanian Reproductive Health (Access to Terminations) Act.

- Proposed euthanasia/assisted dying laws in Australia have had similar provisions.
- Laws such as Victoria’s Health Complaints Act 2016 which restrict counsellors in counselling on homosexual attraction.

More.

Inquiry into the status of the human right to freedom of religion or beliefSubmission 89