The Spanish Episcopal Conference (CEE) has come out to protest against the ban on Muslim worship in public spaces in Jumilla (Murcia), promoted by a motion by Vox that the PP supported through an amendment:"The limitation of these rights violates the fundamental rights of any human being, and does not affect only one religious group, but all religious denominations and also non-believers."

This is what the Spanish bishops have maintained in a statement in which they position themselves on the side of the Islamic Commission in Spain. Both uphold freedom of worship as one of the pillars of the Constitution, enshrined in Article 16:"Public religious demonstrations are protected by the right to religious freedom," they warned.

"Implementing these restrictions on religious grounds constitutes discrimination that cannot exist in democratic societies," they emphasized. They therefore emphasize that"the only possible intervention by public authorities is the disruption of public order that these celebrations may cause."

"If restrictions are intended to protect the common good, they should extend to any type of demonstration held in public spaces, not just religious ones," they added.

They also cite the Declaration of Human Rights, which states in Article 18 that"everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."

Lights and shadows of the amendment

Although the approved PP amendment corrected the most contentious points of the motion presented by Vox councillor, Juan Agustín Carrillo, its first provision refers to the promotion of cultural activities, campaigns and proposals that"defend our identity and protect the traditional religious values and manifestations of our country."

However, in Génova they maintain that"it is false that the PP is going to single anyone out for their creed". But along these lines, the CEE has stressed that"if the restrictions seek to protect the common good, they should extend to any type of demonstration that takes place in public spaces and not just religious ones", as the Vox motion intends and supports, in a somewhat softened form, the PP amendment.

For Germán Teruel, professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Murcia, the text of the populares"clearly links the existence of religious manifestations that are identified with the national identity to which the State must give special protection."