The Equality Act 2010 provides protection against discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the grounds of religion or belief.
The definitions of religion and belief are:
- religion - any religion or reference to religion, including a reference to a lack of religion
- belief - any religious or philosophical belief or reference to belief, including a reference to a lack of belief
In the provision of goods, facilities and services, the Act prohibits discrimination and victimisation but not harassment because of religion or belief. However, many of the actions that may be considered as acts of harassment may also be considered acts of direct discrimination, for which there is protection.
Caerphilly County Borough Council as an organisation does not require or promote religious belief in general or any religious belief in particular.
It is however committed to protecting and promoting the rights of everyone in its communities, people with or without formal religious affiliation, of all faiths and none, and provide for the principle of respecting other people's freedom to express their beliefs and convictions.