The World Assembly,
Observing that religion and its many systems have been an important part of many societies for millennia,
Mindful that different people hold different beliefs, and that no person should be treated less favorably under the law because of their religion or lack of religious belief,
Disturbed that some governments have punished people for their faith, pressured them to abandon it, or forced beliefs upon them,
Maintaining that freedom of conscience and belief helps create more peaceful societies while allowing people to live according to their own values,
Hereby:
- Defines the following for the purposes of this resolution,
- Defines "religion" as a system of beliefs concerning the nature or purpose of existence,
- Defines "belief" as adherence to or rejection of any religious, spiritual, or ideological system of thought,
- Affirms that every person has the right to practice, change, conceal, or abandon a religion, to adhere to atheism, or to have no religion at all,
- Prohibits governments from coercing any person into adopting, renouncing, or professing a particular religion, atheism, or religious belief,
- Prevents governments from denying employment or education solely because of a person's religion, atheism, or lack of religious belief,
- Protects the practice of religion, provided that such practices do not infringe upon the fundamental human rights or physical autonomy of others, nor involve non-consensual psychological coercion,
- States that nothing in this resolution shall be construed as granting any person immunity from prosecution for criminal acts, violations of civil liberties, or incitement of violence or threats against public safety and order, even if such acts are committed in the name of that person’s beliefs,
Declares that nothing in this resolution shall be interpreted as favoring or endorsing any religion, atheism, or lack of religion.
