Then there is the 1966 Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, Article 18 of which also deals with the freedom of religion and belief. But the freedom of religion and belief is referred to in many other documents, for example, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which has not yet been ratified by the United States or by Somalia. But there are many other documents also, such as those protecting women and preventing all kinds of discrimination against them. I mention all of these documents and texts so that you are aware that there are many international documents related to the freedom of belief and the freedom to practice one s belief. The freedom to believe is an absolute right.
Nobody is entitled to judge anybody else s belief.
Each person is free to believe in what he or she wishes to believe in and there are no limits on this right, even under exceptional circumstances. The freedom to express one s belief, however, can be subject to certain limitations, relating to the preservation of law and order, health concerns and also in very exceptional circumstances. There are many United Nations bodies which provide protection for human rights in general, and for the freedom of religion and belief more specifically. And, of course, the most important body dealing with these matters is the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. The Commission on Human Rights has fifty four members, but all other states are entitled to participate, to speak and have a certain influence in it.