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Universal Declaration of Human Rights

“Freedom of religion or belief is a complex,
delicate and multi-faceted human right”

Commentary

Dr. Asma Jahangir Dr. Asma Jahangir is a human rights lawyer in centre of and guided Dr. Jahangir’s mandate
Lahore, Pakistan. In July 2004, she was on freedom of religion or belief since its
appointed United Nations Special Rapporteur inception in 1986.
on freedom of religion or belief. Her
responsibilities include the promotion of the Freedom of religion or belief remains,
adoption of measures at all levels in order to nonetheless, a complex and sensitive
ensure the promotion and protection of the fundamental right. For instance, while
right to freedom of religion or belief. religious minorities and new religious
Furthermore, she is mandated to identify movements face various forms of
existing and emerging obstacles to the discrimination and intolerance, both from
enjoyment of the right to freedom of religion policies, legislation and State practice, Dr.
or belief and to present recommendations on Jahangir would like to recall that Article 18 of
ways and means to overcome such obstacles. the Declaration protects all religions and
beliefs. Of course, defining these terms is a
Dr Jahangir believes that in the context of a complex and contentious task. That is why the
fast-changing world in which the universality Human Rights Committee, which monitors
of the principles set out in the Universal the implementation of the International
Declaration of Human Rights are sometimes Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, rightly
challenged, efforts to raise awareness of, and argued in favour of a broad view of these
respect for, human rights are more vital than concepts: “The terms ‘belief’ and ‘religion’ are
ever. She considers that despite having been to be broadly construed. Article 18 is not
adopted 60 years ago, the Declaration limited in its application to traditional
remains of utmost relevance today. Article 18 religions or to religions and beliefs with
of the Declaration on freedom of thought, institutional characteristics or practices
conscience and religion has been at the analogous to those of traditional religions”.

84 Dignity and Justice for All of Us