December 10 was the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As usual, the leaders at the UN took the opportunity to remind the world's governments of their obligations and responsibilities to protect the most vulnerable. The Declaration's aim has been to ensure human rights for everyone – regardless of their race, gender, colour, sex, language, religion, or political opinion. Writing this blog has brought home just how many conflicts are based on religious grievances and how often human rights are violated on account of repression of religious minorities. As the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, has said, “For many people, the Universal Declaration remains an unfulfilled promise, as States’ political will to fulfill their obligations lags lamentably behind their pledges.” This has been particularly true with respect to religious minorities and freedom of conscience – as states can base their national identities on religious principles, sometimes leading to excessive intolerance.
