Human Rights and Prisoners of Conscience
During the Second World War, unimaginable things were done to people by fellow human beings. After the war, people from all nations agreed that some things should never happen. All human beings, simply because they are human, are worthy of respect, justice, and having their basic needs met.
In 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a declaration consisting of 30 articles outlining the specific human rights that all people hold. For example:
Article 1 - All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
Article 3 - Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 5 - No one shall be subjected to torture.
Article 19 - Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression
In some countries, individuals are denied their rights because of their race, gender, beliefs or sexuality. Ordinary members of society, such as lawyers or teachers, may be arrested and imprisoned for standing up for basic human rights. When someone is jailed because of their beliefs, and not because of any crime they have commited, they are called 'prisoners of conscience'.
This section looks at how Christians respond to human rights and prisoners of conscience.
