Religious Human Rights under the United Nations

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the religious human rights provisions in four instruments that have responded globally to human rights issues related to religion and belief: (1) the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights; (2) the 1959 Arcot Krishnaswami Study; (3) the 1966 International Covenants on Human Rights; and (4) the 1981 Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. This analysis is made with some reference to domestic legislation and jurisprudence. The chapter also talks about religious rights in other relevant instruments. The protection of religious human rights during the United Nations era is quite limited. Provisions of a positive character do exist and have exercised a considerable influence on domestic legislation.Keywords: belief; human rights committee; International Covenants; Krishnaswami Study; religious human rights; United Nations; Universal Declaration