# Human Rights are God-Given Rights

*Exported from [Holy-Writings.com](https://www.holy-writings.com/) on 2026-06-19 — 1 clipping.*

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> 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)*