The exercise of freedom of religion or belief by human beings, whether alone or in community with others, whether in public or in private, is an inalienable right. As such, it cannot be conditional upon the permission of the state.21 The normative status of freedom of religion or belief is underscored by the fact that it is a non-derogable right according to Article 4(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). This means that even a state of emergency, declared as a result
of threats to the life of the nation, may not be used by a state to derogate from their obligations under ICCPR Article 18.