Religious Rules in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article I
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
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.
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."
Religions and other beliefs bring hope and consolation to billions of
people, and hold great potential for peace and reconciliation. They have also,
however, been the source of tension and conflict. This complexity, and the
difficulty of defining “religion” and “belief,” are illustrated by the still
developing history of the protection of freedom of religion or belief in the
context of international human rights.
The struggle for religious liberty has been ongoing for centuries, and has
led to innumerable, tragic conflicts. The twentieth century has seen the
codification of common values related to freedom of religion and belief, though
the struggle has not abated. The United Nations recognized the importance of
freedom of religion or belief in the1948Universal Declaration of Human Rights.The basic principles of dignity, liberty, equality,
and brotherhood, proclaimed in the first two articles are the foundation blocks
for four columns of rights: rights pertaining to individuals as such; rights of
individuals in relation to each other and to various groups; spiritual, public
and political rights; and, finally, economic, social and cultural rights. It is
a declaration of basic principles of human rights and freedoms.
Despite the religious bases for universal moral community in each of the traditions, the language of human rights in the Universal Declaration is not the language of the Hebrew Bible, the Christian scriptures or the Muslim Qur'an. It is not the language that any of the three holy books uses to speak of the universal moral community of all persons.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a summary statement that reflects the deepest aspirations of the peoples of the world. It is not the creed of a new world religion, but it is an affirmation of faith that has gained the support of many within the various religious traditions of the world.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the cornerstone for efforts all over the world by religious as well as secular leaders to build a system of law so that the moral imperatives of human rights will be promoted, respected and enforced. It was created as much by religious as by secular leadership, it is understood within various religious traditions as reflecting the values of sacred texts and authoritative teachings, and it is defended and proclaimed by men and women of faith as the foundation for justice and peace in our time.
Bulgaria has a population of 7.6 million. Eighty-five percent of the population identifies itself as Orthodox Christian. Orthodox Christianity, Hanafi Sunni Islam, Judaism, and Catholicism are generally understood as holding a historical place in the country's culture. Muslims comprise the largest minority, estimated at 13 percent. Groups that constitute less than 5 percent of the population include Catholics, Armenian Christians, Jews, evangelical Protestants, and others.
The constitution provides for freedom of religion, and other laws and policies contributed to the generally free practice of religion. The government enforces these provisions, and citizens have the right to sue the government for violations of religious freedom.
The 2002 Denominations Act allows private religious exercise if members of the religious community are the only persons present, and public religious exercise if the exercise is also open to persons not belonging to the respective religious community.
The government observes the following religious holidays as national holidays: Orthodox Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter. In addition, the government respects the holidays of non-Orthodox religious groups, such as Muslim, Catholic, Jewish, evangelicals, and Baha'i, and grants their members nonworking days.
The constitution prohibits the formation of political parties along religious lines.
The law allows the publication of religious media and the distribution of religious literature. Some municipal ordinances require local permits for literature distribution in public places.
Public schools offer an optional religious education course that covers Christianity and Islam. The course examines the historical, philosophical, and cultural aspects of religion and introduces students to the moral values of different religious groups. All officially registered religious groups can request that their religious beliefs be included in the course's curriculum.
Restrictions on Religious Freedom
Some "nontraditional" groups complain that they face discrimination and prejudice from local authorities in certain localities, despite obtaining a national registration with the Sofia City Court.
Some municipal regulations restricted certain forms of proselytizing and prohibited the distribution of religious literature by groups that were not locally registered. Jehovah's Witnesses voiced concerns over an increasing number of instances in which police officers or municipal guards stopped and fined missionaries for engaging persons in religious conversations. Both Jehovah's Witnesses and the Muslim community continued to report problems with obtaining construction permits for new prayer houses and mosques.
Abuses of Religious Freedom
In January 2009 the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that the government had violated the religious rights of the Alternative Synod members and advised the parties to negotiate a mutually agreeable compensation for damages.
There were reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice.
Relations between religious groups generally remained civil and tolerant; however, discrimination, harassment, and public intolerance of some religious groups remained an intermittent problem. There were reports of societal discrimination against "nontraditional" religious groups as well as negative and derogatory media stories about such groups. Jehovah's Witnesses report stories with negative information about their activities and beliefs. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints voiced concerns over the media's reluctance to cover their charity work and positive contributions to the society. The Jewish community reported anti-Semitic incidents. In one incident, a memorial to Russian soldiers was painted with swastikas both on the eve of May 9, 2010, and on the 65th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust.
The Muslim community reported cases of mosque desecration. Jehovah's Witnesses complained of intolerance from the nationalistic Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (VMRO) political party .
Despite the religious bases for universal moral community in each of the traditions, the language of human rights in the Universal Declaration is not the language of the Hebrew Bible, the Christian scriptures or the Muslim Qur'an. It is not the language that any of the three holy books uses to speak of the universal moral community of all persons.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is a summary statement that reflects the deepest aspirations of the peoples of the world. It is not the creed of a new world religion, but it is an affirmation of faith that has gained the support of many within the various religious traditions of the world.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is the cornerstone for efforts all over the world by religious as well as secular leaders to build a system of law so that the moral imperatives of human rights will be promoted, respected and enforced. It was created as much by religious as by secular leadership, it is understood within various religious traditions as reflecting the values of sacred texts and authoritative teachings, and it is defended and proclaimed by men and women of faith as the foundation for justice and peace in our time.
Bulgaria has a population of 7.6 million. Eighty-five percent of the population identifies itself as Orthodox Christian. Orthodox Christianity, Hanafi Sunni Islam, Judaism, and Catholicism are generally understood as holding a historical place in the country's culture. Muslims comprise the largest minority, estimated at 13 percent. Groups that constitute less than 5 percent of the population include Catholics, Armenian Christians, Jews, evangelical Protestants, and others.
The constitution provides for freedom of religion, and other laws and policies contributed to the generally free practice of religion. The government enforces these provisions, and citizens have the right to sue the government for violations of religious freedom.
The 2002 Denominations Act allows private religious exercise if members of the religious community are the only persons present, and public religious exercise if the exercise is also open to persons not belonging to the respective religious community.
The government observes the following religious holidays as national holidays: Orthodox Christmas, Good Friday, and Easter. In addition, the government respects the holidays of non-Orthodox religious groups, such as Muslim, Catholic, Jewish, evangelicals, and Baha'i, and grants their members nonworking days.
The constitution prohibits the formation of political parties along religious lines.
The law allows the publication of religious media and the distribution of religious literature. Some municipal ordinances require local permits for literature distribution in public places.
Public schools offer an optional religious education course that covers Christianity and Islam. The course examines the historical, philosophical, and cultural aspects of religion and introduces students to the moral values of different religious groups. All officially registered religious groups can request that their religious beliefs be included in the course's curriculum.
Restrictions on Religious Freedom
Some "nontraditional" groups complain that they face discrimination and prejudice from local authorities in certain localities, despite obtaining a national registration with the Sofia City Court.
Some municipal regulations restricted certain forms of proselytizing and prohibited the distribution of religious literature by groups that were not locally registered. Jehovah's Witnesses voiced concerns over an increasing number of instances in which police officers or municipal guards stopped and fined missionaries for engaging persons in religious conversations. Both Jehovah's Witnesses and the Muslim community continued to report problems with obtaining construction permits for new prayer houses and mosques.
Abuses of Religious Freedom
In January 2009 the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that the government had violated the religious rights of the Alternative Synod members and advised the parties to negotiate a mutually agreeable compensation for damages.
There were reports of societal abuses or discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice.
Relations between religious groups generally remained civil and tolerant; however, discrimination, harassment, and public intolerance of some religious groups remained an intermittent problem. There were reports of societal discrimination against "nontraditional" religious groups as well as negative and derogatory media stories about such groups. Jehovah's Witnesses report stories with negative information about their activities and beliefs. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints voiced concerns over the media's reluctance to cover their charity work and positive contributions to the society. The Jewish community reported anti-Semitic incidents. In one incident, a memorial to Russian soldiers was painted with swastikas both on the eve of May 9, 2010, and on the 65th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust.
The Muslim community reported cases of mosque desecration. Jehovah's Witnesses complained of intolerance from the nationalistic Internal Macedonian Revolutionary Organization (VMRO) political party .
Bulgarian team: Kristiyan Velichkov Simeonov, Miroslav
Tanchev Mirchev, Hristian Georgiev Pancharevski
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