HUMAN RIGHTS AND

SPIRITUALITY
Mutually Exclusive or
Supportive?
By: Bas De Gaay Fortman

INTRODUCTION

1948 UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF

HUMAN RIGHTS
Does not mention of religion as a
possible basis for such fundamental
rights
There was an attempt of Dutch
delegate Father De Beaufort, OP to
amend the preamble
The UDH was juridical challenge to
legislate and to create procedural
provisions for judgment of individual
and state complaints

TWO ROLES OF RELIGION IN THE

PROJECT:
1. Freedom of Worship (or onworship) is one of the fundamental
human freedoms
2. Religion with all that belongs to it
i.e beliefs and institutions, also falls
under the universal norms of
Declaration

 Assassin of Prime Minister Rabin said

he was acting on Gods orders
Gospel is thus seen as the deepest
foundation of all human rights
These rights are grossly and
systematically violated day by day

DOES RELIGION NEED

HUMAN RIGHTS?

 Religion provides people with a

transcendental basis for morally
justified behavior
From a reality beyond direct human
experience moral standards are set
which cannot be altered

Does this mean that respect for

human rights is inherent in all religion?
Practice shows it does NOT.
The religious message itself may
contain inhuman elements
Faith is based on tradition and
interpretation rather than the holy
scriptures themselves

Does Human Rights Need

Religion?

RIGHTS AND PRINCIPLES

FOR COMPANIES
Amnesty International

RESPONSIBILITY FOR OWN

OPERATIONS

Personnel practice and

policies
Standards relating to labour rights
have been developed by a variety of
Intl Labor Organizations such as ILO
Performance of companys
contractors, suppliers and partners is
perceived to reflect on the
performance of the company

Security Arrangements