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Today Is 60th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights

By Howard M. Friedman

Today is the 60th anniversary of the adoption by the United Nations General Assembly of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Article 18 of the document provides:

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.

President Bush yesterday issued a Proclamation (full text) declaring December 10 as Human Rights Day; December 15 as Bill of Rights Day; and the week beginning December 10 as Human Rights Week.

In Britain, the National Secular Society is marking the day by launching the "One Law for All" campaign inthe House of Lords-- a campaign against the use of Sharia law in Britain. According to an NSS press release: "The campaign calls on the UK government to recognise that Sharia law is arbitrary and discriminatory and for an end to Sharia courts and all religious tribunals on the basis that they work against and not for equality and human rights. The campaign also calls for the Arbitration Act 1996 to be amended so that all religious tribunals are banned from operating within and outside of the legal system."

Full post as published by Religion Clause on December 10, 2008 (boomark / email).