What is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

@anon303703 - Just want to add that we're talking about the Saudi interpretation of Islam (about which even they are lenient when it comes to people they want to do business with). There are as many different interpretations of Islamic teachings as there are about Christian teachings and many Muslim countries signed this declaration.

I find it sad that the only time we hear anything about Islam is when somebody takes their interpretation of the text to an extreme view. The word Islam means "peace" and most Muslims I have met have used their religion as an inspiration to become better people, not to fill themselves with hate or disdain.

I sincerely believe that people should have freedom of religion, because I sincerely believe people should be able to do whatever they want, as long as it doesn't harm others (and that's where it gets complicated of course).

@Acracadabra - I can well imagine why South Africa abstained. Back then apartheid was still in full effect and the idea of signing a paper that declared all people deserving of equal, decent treatment would not have been popular.

It's difficult for me to imagine anyone being able to argue against most of the declarations on the human rights document, since they seem fairly self evident to me. But, I have been educated, and raised in circumstances where these rights and civil liberties were taken for granted.

Specifically, Saudi Arabia abstained from voting because Article 19 states that people have the freedom to change religion. This is against Islamic perspectives that apostasy is met with the death penalty.

Many communist states did not participate because 'freedom of thought' was contradictory to their particular ideologies!

@yumdelish - I think of the eight nations who chose not to vote, six were from Communist countries. Their decision was likely linked to the political scene at the time.

I don't know why South Africa and Saudi Arabia abstained, but all eight did later become universal declaration of human rights signatories.

I don't understand why eight countries chose not to vote on this back in 1948. Did they later change their mind? What were their reasons for opting out?

@Valencia - Your perspective is one shared by my uncle. He recently quit teaching high school history at an international school overseas, because he couldn't deal with the restrictions on what could be covered in class.

Article 19 of the universal declaration of human rights is intended to promote freedom to say or read things freely, without censorship. He would tell you that not all countries in the world want this to happen in the education system.

Maybe I'm a little biased on this subject, as I have been working with marginalised people for several years. What I really want to say is that pieces of paper are fine but action has to follow theory.

I'd love to think that the key points, including freedom of speech and the right of each person to dignity, regardless of ethnicity or gender, are still being practiced. Sadly I'm going to be difficult to convince.

The universal declaration of human rights history is admirable, and we shouldn't forget what this legislation was intended to do. However, I do think it's time to examine and update it in relation to twenty first century society.