Sofianopoulos and others v. Greece, Nos. 1977/02, 1988/02, 1997/02, ECtHR (First Section), 12 December 2002 (dec.)

Failure to refer to the religion professed in the identity document, despite its owner requesting it. The appeal, which alleges a violation of Article 9 of the ECHR, is manifestly ill-founded.

Art. 9 CEDU

1. An identity card cannot be regarded as a means intended to ensure that the adherents of any religion or faith whatsoever should have the right to exercise or manifest their religion. Where a State decides to introduce a system of identification by identity cards it should be accepted that these are merely official documents whereby persons may be identified and distinguished in their status as citizens and in their relations with the State’s legal system. Religious beliefs, however, do not constitute information that can be used to distinguish an individual citizen in his relations with the State.