A/HRC/40/58
“Now this is the command: Do to the doer to make him do.” (Ancient Egyptian Middle
Kingdom)
“Repay injury with justice and kindness with kindness.” (Confucius)
“What is hateful to you, don’t do to your friend.” (Talmud, Shabat, 31,a)
“Whatever words we utter should be chosen with care for people will hear them and be
influenced by them for good or ill.” (Buddha)
“By self-control and by making dharma (right conduct) your main focus, treat others as you
treat yourself.” (Mahābhārata)
“You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against your kinsfolk. Love your neighbor
as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18)
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them:
for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12)
“Ascribe not to any soul that which thou wouldst not have ascribed to thee, and say not that
which thou doest not.” (Bahá’u’lláh)
VIII.
We therefore pledge to establish, each within our respective spheres, policies and
methodologies to monitor interpretations, determinations or other religious views that
manifestly conflict with universal human rights norms and standards, regardless of
whether they are pronounced by formal institutions or by self-appointed individuals. We
intend to assume this responsibility in a disciplined objective manner only within our own
respective areas of competence in an introspective manner, without judging the faith or
beliefs of others.
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be
judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Bible, Matthew 7:1-2)
“Habituate your heart to mercy for the subjects and to affection and kindness for them…
since they are of two kinds, either your brother in religion or one like you in creation…So,
extend to them your forgiveness and pardon, in the same way as you would like Allah to
extend His forgiveness and pardon to you”—(Letter from Caliph Ali to Malik Ashtar,
Governor of Egypt)
“The essential purpose of the religion of God is to establish unity among mankind. The divine
Manifestations were Founders of the means of fellowship and love. They did not come to
create discord, strife and hatred in the world. The religion of God is the cause of love, but if
it is made to be the source of enmity and bloodshed, surely its absence is preferable to its
existence; for then it becomes satanic, detrimental and an obstacle to the human world.”
(‘Abdu’l-Bahá)
IX.
We also pledge to refrain from, advocate against and jointly condemn any judgemental
public determination by any actor who in the name of religion aims at disqualifying the
religion or belief of another individual or community in a manner that would expose them
to violence in the name of religion or deprivation of their human rights.
X.
We pledge not to give credence to exclusionary interpretations claiming religious
grounds in a manner that would instrumentalize religions, beliefs or their followers to incite
hatred and violence, for example for electoral purposes or political gains.
XI.
We equally commit not to oppress critical voices and views on matters of religion or belief,
however wrong or offensive they may be perceived, in the name of the “sanctity” of the
subject matter and we urge States that still have anti-blasphemy or anti-apostasy laws to
repeal them, since such laws have a stifling impact on the enjoyment of freedom of thought,
conscience, religion or belief as well as on healthy dialogue and debate about religious issues.
XII.
We commit to further refine the curriculums, teaching materials and textbooks wherever
some religious interpretations, or the way they are presented, may give rise to the perception
of condoning violence or discrimination. In this context, we pledge to promote respect for
pluralism and diversity in the field of religion or belief as well as the right not to receive
religious instruction that is inconsistent with one’s conviction. We also commit to defend
the academic freedom and freedom of expression, in line with Article 19 of the
25