religiousfreedom

What does the United Nations say about religious freedom?

 

In the preface to Freedom of Religion and Belief – A World Report, Abdelfattah Amor, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion and Belief, wrote in 1999:

Any examination of freedom of religion or belief today needs to address the massive religious revival which is characterising the end of the century. Should we anticipate in the wake of this revival an increase in tolerance, enlightenment and freedom, or are we to be faced with greater intolerance and discrimination, condemned to a further period of extremism, darkness and inquisition?

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There is no question that religion can play an important role in transforming society in positive ways. However, as UN Rapporteur, Prof. Amor has also called attention to the dangers posed by religious extremism and to the ‘exploitation of religion for political and partisan purposes.’ Of course, violence often spreads where fundamental freedoms are not safeguarded. Sometimes governments themselves may deny these rights and/or there may be tensions within and between religious groups themselves. For all of these reasons, it is imperative for everyone to understand the human rights guarantees that are enshrined in international law.

These rights give everyone the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. This right is established in several legal documents, most importantly in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). In November 1981, the UN’s General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. It took the UN’s member states nearly twenty years (from the early 1960s) to agree to the terms of this declaration and it is considered a landmark document for setting international standards for rights to freedom of religion or belief.

Article 1 of the Declaration states that:

1. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have a religion or whatever belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching.

2. No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have a religion or belief of his choice.

3. Freedom to manifest one’s religion or belief may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.

The full text of the Declaration, which includes eight articles, can be found at www.un.org

Study the articles of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief What do you think about these articles? Are they strong enough? Are there important things that are not covered? Do you think these rights are fully respected in your country? If so, in what ways? If not, in what ways? If your religious freedom was denied (how could this happen?), would these articles be helpful to you?

 

Contents / Introduction / Persecution Types / Immunity / Global Case Studies / United Nations / Right&Responsibilities / Hard Questions / Interfaith Initiatives / Summary / Inspiration / Resources

 

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© International interfaith organisations network 2003