What is ORFECT?
Thank you for your interest towards Orfect,
Observatory on Religious Freedom in the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human
Rights.
Orfect is an international network that counts more than 40 scholars. At the same time, it is an
Interdepartmental Research Center carried on between the Department of Law, the Department
of Education and Human Sciences and the Department of Linguistic and Cultural Studies of the
University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, with the aim of bringing together interdisciplinary
skills and knowledge involving FoRB. Orfect brings together European professors, researchers
and PhD students with the aim of developing interdisciplinary skills and knowledge on FoRB.
Hence, particular emphasis is placed on research focusing on religious freedom in secular
societies, and the interaction of religion, law and politics. Focusing on major developments at the
level of the Council of Europe (CoE) and the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) the
aim is to foster international collaborative projects and also develop successful
university-industry partnerships.

The First ORFECT Conference, October 6 – 7, Modena
ORFECT Inaugural Conference
Modena, 6-7 October 2022
Freedom of Religion or Belief in Times of Migration
PLEASE REGISTER HERE:
https://forms.gle/q81qq5F3Bt1quWM99

ORFECT Blog: What’s new?
- The Avaton debate: human rights and the monastic community of Mount Athos 5 Giugno 2022
- Freedom of religion or belief and the future of Norwegian leadership on human rights 5 Giugno 2022
- The Russian-Ukrainian conflict 5 Giugno 2022
- On the evolution of Religion in Europe: a case law study on new religions, ancient spirituality and unexpected philosophies (Part II) 24 Maggio 2022
- Of midwifes and lives: the cases of Grimmark and Steen (ECtHR, Apps no 43726/17 and 62309/17) 23 Maggio 2022
The aim of ORFECT
The aim of the “Observatory on Religious Freedom in the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights” (ORFECT) is to analyze the decisions of the ECtHR impacting on FoRB from the perspective of the secularism and non-discrimination. In particular, ORFECT will address cases related to religious freedom presented before the Court, study possible solutions and provide recommendations and opinions to be possibly used in a trial.
ORFECT, moreover, will promote a culture of respect of religious freedom, non-discrimination and equal opportunities by means of awareness and communication campaigns other than positive action projects; it will organize and manage conferences and seminars, studies, researches and training activities regarding reasons, forms and possible solutions about religious freedom and non-discrimination.