WHAT IS FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF?
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“Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
— ARTICLE 18 of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
“Each State Party to the present Covenant undertakes to respect and to ensure to all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction the rights recognized in the present Covenant, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.”
— ARTICLE 2. 1. of The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
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Freedom of Religion or Belief supports the freedom to believe or not believe in religion and to manifest these beliefs openly, peaceably, and without fear in teaching, practice, worship, and observance. Inherent in the principle of religious freedom is the right to believe or not believe as guided by one’s conscience.
Freedom of religion or belief is considered an expansive right that includes the freedoms of thought, conscience, expression, association, and assembly. As with all other human rights, individuals are the primary holders of the right to freedom of religion or belief while governments are the primary duty bearers.
FoRB Conventions
This collection provides an overview of key international and regional agreements and documents relating to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB).
It includes a complete digest of all UN agreements relating to FoRB, as well as a thematic digest to help you find information about relevant issues.
You can also find more information about international standards on freedom of religion or belief by clicking here.
Compendium of Key International Human Rights Agreements Concerning Freedom of Religion or Belief