Iceland

Iceland

Right	Section	Contents
Freedom of Association	History	The first assertion of the right of association in Iceland is in their 1944 Constitution, ratified on June 17, 1944. The right was asserted in Chapter VII, Article 74 (“Constitution of the Republic of Iceland”, 1944). 1944. Constitution of the Republic of Iceland. June 17. https://www.government.is/library/01-Ministries/Prime-Ministrers-Office/constitution_of_iceland.pdf.
Freedom of Expression	History	The 54th Article of the 1874 Constitutional Law for the Special Affairs of Iceland guaranteed freedom of opinion in print. Interestingly, it also stipulated that no restrictive measures or attempts at censorship “can ever be introduced.” Thus, the 1944 Constitution of the Republic of Iceland still protects this freedom and restricts attempts to undo it. References: British and Foreign State Papers (1873-1874). https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?collection=cow&handle=hein.cow/bfsprs0065&id=1005&men_tab=srchresults British and Foreign State Papers (1943-1945). https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?collection=cow&handle=hein.cow/bfsprs0145&id=614&men_tab=srchresults
Freedom of Religion	History	The Constitution of the Republic of Iceland was ratified on June 17, 1944. Article 62 establishes that “the Evangelical Lutheran Church shall be the State Church in Iceland and, as such, it shall be supported and protected by the State. This may be amended by law.” Articles 63, 64, and 65 grant religious freedom and equality. Article 63 states that “all persons have the right to form religious associations and to practice their religion in conformity with their individual convictions. Nothing may however be preached or practised which is prejudicial to good morals or public order” (constituteproject.org). “Iceland 1944 (Rev. 2013) Constitution.” Constitute. Accessed July 21, 2023. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Iceland_2013. National Parliament of Iceland. “Constitution of the Republic of Iceland.” Government of Iceland. Prime Minister's Office , June 24, 1999. Last modified June 24, 1999. Accessed June 14, 2022. https://www.government.is/library/01-Ministries/Prime-Ministrers-Office/constitution_of_iceland.pdf.
Freedom of the Press	History	Iceland’s first press freedom protections came while it was a part of Denmark under Section 77 of the 1849 Danish Constitutional Act (see above). Today, Freedom of the press is not explicitly protected in Iceland’s 1944 Constitution. However, Article 73’s protections for freedom of expression extend to the press: “Everyone shall be free to express his thoughts, but shall also be liable to answer for them in court. The law may never provide for censorship or other similar limitations to freedom of expression” (Constitute Project, “Iceland's Constitution of 1944 with Amendments through 2013” ).
Privacy Rights	History	Article 71 says, “Everyone shall enjoy freedom from interference with privacy, home, and family life” (Constitute Project, “Iceland 1944 rev. 2013” ). This article is in the 1944 constitution, which is largely based on the 1874 constitutional text that preceded it (Icelandic Human Rights Center, “Icelandic Law”). https://www.humanrights.is/en/laws-conventions/icelandic-law https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Iceland_ 2013? lang=en
Voting Rights and Suffrage	History	Under Article 33, all Icelandic citizens of the age of 18 or older have the right to vote in Althingi. Permanent naturalized Icelandic citizens is a requirement for non-birthright persons who wish to vote. Under Article 5, such persons may also vote for president. (Constitute Project, “Iceland’s Constitution of 1944 with Amendments through 2013” ).