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Implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (Item 19) Alexandra Arriaga, U.S. Delegate Statement before the United Nations Human Rights Commission Geneva, Switzerland, March 24, 1997

Mr. Chairman:

Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that "everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion." Here, in 11 clear and simple words, is one of the most important messages of this or any other century.

These words stand as a living monument to the millions who have died from violent acts and wars humankind ascribed to God's good name. Few understood more clearly the consequences of religious hatred -- or saw more sharply the necessity of preventing it in the future -- than the generation which framed the Universal Declaration. Much of their wisdom resides in Article 18.

The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion is inherent in the dignity of every human being. No government can rightfully deny it, for it is universal, inalienable, the right of everyone by virtue of our birth.

But Article 18 goes beyond the freedom to hold religious beliefs. It establishes the "freedom to change [one's] religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others, and in public or private, to manifest [one's] religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance." Here again, in clear and simple words, is what we want to speak about today.

We in the United States believe that everyone has the inherent right to practice and change his or her religion -- not just believe in it -- and to participate in public or private worship, wherever they live and whatever creed they follow. Every member of the United Nations has the responsibility to uphold these principles -- every single member. For these principles are elaborated not just in the Universal Declaration, but also in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the UN Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination based on Religion or Belief, and numerous other regional human rights instruments.

Mr. Chairman, freedom of religion is a bedrock issue for the American people and its government. Indeed, the United States was founded in large part by people who fled religious persecution and intolerance. They carried a craving for religious freedom with them when they crossed the Atlantic, and inscribed it into their laws and charters when they arrived. And when Americans gained their independence, they insisted that religious freedom be included in the Bill of Rights as an integral part of the Constitution.

For over 200 years our passion for religious freedom -- and this includes the freedom to have no religion if one so chooses -- has served our country well, as more and more religions have found a home and flourished in our country. We take pride in our freedoms and our diversity, for they strengthen and enrich us. Let me elaborate for just a moment. According to the information published in the most recent World Almanac -- the U.S. government does not collect census data on religious matters -- there are now 28 separate religious groups in the United States that have more than a million adherents. Another 35 have between 100,000 and a million members.

For example, there are 60 million Americans who are Roman Catholic. We have 14 different Eastern Orthodox churches. There are 19 different Baptist, 13 Lutheran, nine Mennonite, 16 Pentecostal, and eight separate Presbyterian groups. And for those who think the United States is just a Christian country: please take note. There are now more than 5 million Muslims, 4.3 million Jews, 900,000 Hindus, 780,000 Buddhists, 300,000 Baha'is and many others that call America their home.

Virtually every religion in the world has a base in the United States, too. Each new group adds depth to our country, builds our national character, and strengthens our commitment to religious freedom, so that whenever a people anywhere are persecuted for their beliefs we take it as an attack on our beliefs as well.

Thus we cannot turn aside while the Sudanese government fails to stop the persecution of Christians and traditional believers. Nor can we silence our concern over the hostility evangelical Protestants, Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses face in many countries in Latin America, Asia and the Newly Independent States.

Much has been written about the supposed incompatibility of Islam with the nations of the West. This is absolute nonsense. Muslims make up one of the fastest-growing religions in our country, and we are proud that they are part of the fabric of our society. We have stood up for rights of Muslims in Bosnia and fought beside our friends and allies in the Persian Gulf.

We must condemn, however, the violence perpetrated by armed groups in countries like Algeria who hide behind the cloak of Islam. This is not Islam, but a perversion of a great religion. Similarly, we are concerned about the increasing number of attacks on Copts in Egypt, and we vigorously condemn the recent brutal attacks on the Coptic Christian villagers in Ezbet Dawoud and Al-Fikriya.

At the same time the United States remains concerned about the periodic violence Muslims and Hindus perpetuate against each other in South Asia, and Iran's continuing persecution of Baha'is and Christians.

We also must speak out against the actions the Taliban has taken in Afghanistan in the name of Islam. To confine women to their homes deprives families of their daily bread. To keep girls from attending school deprives the country of its future potential. To make mosque attendance mandatory deprives the country of religious freedom. These actions can only bring harm to Afghanistan.

Elsewhere, the government of Vietnam continues to restrict the activities of Buddhists, Catholics and Protestants, and Pakistan's blasphemy law affects Christians and Ahmaddiya Muslims alike. And we note with deep concern that anti-Semitism continues in many forms in many countries throughout the world.

The United States cannot remain silent while the government of China increases repression, imprisonment, and the abuse or torture of Tibetan monks and nuns accused of political activism. Nor can we look aside while it labels religious leaders criminals or "splitists" and holds a child in custody simply because he has been designated as a religious leader and the government disputes that designation. Nor can we refrain from speaking out when Chinese authorities harass and persecute Christians, Muslims, and Buddhists, who are not registered with authorities.

Mr. Chairman, the Human Rights Commission cannot wait until the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration to rededicate itself to the values upon which it was founded. The time is now. Religious tolerance and freedom are fundamental to the human rights of every individual in every country of the world.

Our job here is not to coddle oppressors or hide in the shadows of the intolerant, but to speak out clearly. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, to change their religion, and practice it in public or in private. It is time every member of this Commission faced this truth and accepted the responsibility for observing the international principles to which they have agreed and by which we are all universally bound. Thank you.

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