Christian Tradition

The 10 December, 1948 is a significant date for the humanity. This day the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the majority of the General Assembly. Forty eight countries voted in favor, none against and only some of them abstain. These are the countries abstained while taking the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – the Soviet Union, Byelorussian SSR, Ukrainian SSR, People’s Republic of Poland, People’s Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Union of South Africa, Czechoslovakia. Their position looks clear, all of them (except the Union of South Africa and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) were totalitarian countries and taking of such document as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights could lead to contradictions with the real domestic policy and give more power to democratic countries to interfere in their internal affairs. Position of the Union of South Africa was even clearer – their system of apartheid clearly and strictly violated any number of articles in the Document those days. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position was caused mainly by two paragraphs – about marriage and about religions (Article 18 states that everyone has the right “to change his religion or belief” – how can Islamic country truly accept this? Article 16 says that everyone (despite the gender) has equal marriage rights).

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights made an unprecedented step in human relationships for those days. This document is the part of The International Bill along with two other documents. First is the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (with two Optional Protocols). The second is the International Covenant on Rights (Economic, Social and Cultural). There are three parts in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: the rights of a person, the rights of a citizen and the spiritual, social and political rights and freedom. The first part includes such rights as right for a life and the prohibition of slavery. The second part consists of rights of a person in the civil and political society. The most popular example of the third part rights is the freedom of religion. Like it was already mentioned, the third group of rights met with strong criticism from the Islamic countries. Many Islamic countries have noted that some of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights articles violate Sharia Law (they are based on Christian traditions).