Human Rights are God-Given Rights
Exported from Holy-Writings.com on 2026-07-06 - 1 clipping

The Bahá'í Communities of North America - on the occasion of the 
world-wide commemoration of the one hundredth anniversary of the call 
to the world's leaders to establish universal peace through justice and 
unity by Bahá'u'lláh, Founder of the Bahá'í Faith - hail the International 
Year for Human Rights, 1968. At the Bahá'í Intercontinental Conference in 
Chicago the Bahá'ís affirm that in accordance with the Teachings of 
Bahá'u'lláh, human rights are God-given rights.

THE GREATEST CHALLENGE to this age is the recognition of the 
oneness of mankind. The painful but inevitable broadening of each man's 
allegiance from his own ethnic, racial, religious, national, cultural and 
economic group to the wider embrace of all mankind constitutes the 
central revolution of our time. Every person is affected by this revolution, 
which calls for changes in the provincial attitudes and behavior of all the 
people in the world. The recognition that mankind belongs to one family 
under one God brings with it the responsibility to respect and to help one 
another in every way.

THE PROPHETS OF GOD have stressed the unique character of man's 
individuality and of his right to live a fruitful life. Human rights, then, are 
not the exclusive prerogative of the few, to be parcelled out at the 
legislative discretion of human institutions.  We believe rather that 
human rights are God-given and hence inviolable.

ALL PERSONS of whatever sex, race, nationality, ethnic group, 
religion or economic class are creations of God and all are equal in their 
spiritual essence and human dignity. Any act which discriminates against 
or otherwise restricts the human rights of any person demeans the dignity 
of the individuals involved and is contrary to the Teachings of God.

DISCRIMINATION OR UNJUST RESTRICTION against persons under any 
pretext poisons our relationships and thereby creates conflicts which 
threaten to destroy our civilization. This is undoubtedly the gravest 
sickness infecting our age. The dynamic accomplishments which could 
result from a truly organic and unified society, freed from all prejudicial 
attitudes, are thus denied us. Social repression and enforced degradation 
have created masses of people unable to exercise the functions of 
citizenship, making it impossible for them to contribute to the 
advancement of civilization and to enjoy its benefits.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES for developing their unique capacities are 
the right of all individuals. Variety, not conformity, is a basic 
characteristic of a progressive society. Therefore, an equal standard of 
human rights must be upheld throughout the world.

From The Bahá'í National Review, No. 4, April 1968, p. 
1
Published by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the United 
States
-- Human Rights are God-Given Rights (Used by permission of the curator)