Abstract

International human rights instruments categorically insist on there being no discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief. This is clear from the language of the UN Charter itself and it is further reiterated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The UN Charter’s Article 1.3 holds one of the purposes of the United Nations to be the promotion and encouragement of ‘respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction’ ¹ 1

Charter of the United Nations, adopted 24 October 1945, 1 UNTS XVI, Art. 1.3.

inter alia on the basis of religion. Entitlement to all the rights and freedoms of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is also without distinction of any kind, such as religion, as outlined in its Article 2. ² 2

Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted 10 December 1948, UNGA Res 217 A(III) (UDHR), Art. 2.