Human rights are often thought to provide us with neutral, objective and unpolitical guidance in multi-faith societies. Even though we have great trust in human rights, this should not prevent us from looking at their practical operation critically. This article explores some of dilemmas regarding the application of the freedom of religion or belief in Europe. The paper argues that in practice the freedom of religion as a human right does not set clear standards but derives its meaning through balancing different kinds of political, strategic, Christian and Western interests. In this article, this is made visible by claims of Muslim applicants asserting their rights in the European Court of Human Rights. It is argued that the human rights community should be more sensitive and reflective to the many pragmatic uses of human rights, in other words, the politics of human rights.

Keywords: Freedom of Religion or Belief; European Court of Human Rights; Minorities; Islam in Europe; Human Rights Pragmatism; Politics of Human Rights; European Universalism.