The Universal declaration of Human Rights, and some ways that it applies to Islamic countries.
Reader comment on item: A Christian Caught in Mecca; What Fate Awaits Him?
in response to reader comment: Re: Fate of Nirosh Kamanda

Submitted by Canadian Chris (Canada), Nov 7, 2009 at 11:50

From the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Countries that do not encourage these rights and freedoms should not be sought for any kind of partnership. In fact, Only countries that value reason and compassion above religion should be considered for any kind of economic or military alliance.

Article 2.

• Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, 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. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

  (Religious discrimination is the calling card of fundamentalist Islam)

Article 5.

• No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

  (Minors marrying, Burying women up to their neck and stoning them, seeking to kill people who leave the religion...So much more from the fundamentalist followers of the religion of Islam.)

Article 7.

• All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

  (No arrests discrimination or persecution of those who choose to believe in something other than islam or not to practice any religion in an 'Islamic' country)

Article 10.

• Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

  (Fair and Public hearing by secular courts to avoid religious rights abuses. Sharia law is not unbiased in any way!)

Article 16.

• (1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution.

  (Equality not Misogyny)

• (2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.

  (Not children being forced to marry grown and elderly men by their parents. Or prison guards marrying and raping children so that they can be executed under Sharia Law)

Article 18.

• 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.

  (Apostates are not to be persecuted for their choice!, People should be able to discuss and practice whatever religion they choose without fear of persecution in any civilized country)

Article 19.

• Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

  (The world does not need to submit to religion, religion needs to submit to secular courts to ensure that Human rights abuses cannot be perpetrated by those who carry religious principles to the extreme.)

^ Top

Article 20.

• (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

• (2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

(The ridiculous fines for not attending prayer in fundamentalist countries is wrong, and the considered and personal choice of religion should not be compelled by any organization or Family.)

Article 26

1. Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

(our religious differences are not as important as respect for our potential as humans)

I could spend a lifetime discussing how the zealots of Islam violate so many principles of the Declaration of Human Rights, But at the end of the day, I will judge each Muslim I encounter on an individual basis, and not label them all as evil. The crazies seem to hold the reins in many countries and in a country under Fundamentalist Islamic control, the crazies seem to be more harmful than many of our notable historical tyrants.

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened for relevance, substance, and tone, and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome, but comments are rejected if scurrilous, off-topic, vulgar, ad hominem, or otherwise viewed as inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the Guidelines for Comments. For informational purposes, we identify countries from which comments are sent.