Religious Freedom, Democracy, and International Human Rights

Abstract

This Article documents some of the sharp new conflicts over religion that have broken out in various countries of the world. Apostasy, Blasphemy, Conversion, Defamation, and Evangelization — these are the new alphabet of religious rights violation in a number of regions around the world. Occurring at the intersection of religion and international human rights, they are also challenges to the universality of human rights and the democratic institutions that generate and affirm them. And they stand in open violation of major international, regional, and domestic instruments designed to protect liberty of conscience, freedom of exercise for individuals and groups, religious equality and non-discrimination, among other norms.

Keywords: Religious Freedom; Religious Liberty; Human Rights; Religion; Apostasy; Blasphemy; Conversion; Defamation; Evangelization; Ius Gentium; Law of Nations; United Nations; International Human Rights