Registration
Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/40
4 (c): The Commission on Human Rights urges States, “To review, whenever relevant, existing registration practices in order to
ensure the right of all persons to manifest their religion or belief, alone or in community with others and in public or in private;”.
4 (e): The Commission on Human Rights urges States, “To ensure that, in accordance with appropriate national legislation and in
conformity with international human rights law, the freedom for all persons and members of groups to establish and maintain religious,
charitable or humanitarian institutions is fully respected and protected.”
Communicate with
individuals and
communities on religious
matters at the national
and international level
Establish and maintain
charitable and
humanitarian
institutions/solicit and
receive funding
1981 Declaration of the General Assembly
Art. 6 (i): The right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief includes the freedom, “To establish and maintain
communications with individuals and communities in matters of religion and belief at the national and international levels.”
1981 Declaration of the General Assembly
Art. 6 (b): The right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief includes the freedom, “To establish and maintain appropriate
charitable or humanitarian institutions;”.
Art. 6 (f): The right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief includes the freedom, “To solicit and receive voluntary
financial and other contributions from individuals and institutions.”
Commission on Human Rights resolution 2005/40
4 (e): The Commission on Human Rights urges States, “To ensure that, in accordance with appropriate national legislation and in
conformity with international human rights law, the freedom for all persons and members of groups to establish and maintain religious,
charitable or humanitarian institutions is fully respected and protected.”
Conscientious objection
Human Rights Committee general comment 22
E/CN.4/2006/5
page 29
Para. 11: “Many individuals have claimed the right to refuse to perform military service (conscientious objection) on the basis that
such right derives from their freedoms under article 18. In response to such claims, a growing number of States have in their laws
exempted from compulsory military service citizens who genuinely hold religious or other beliefs that forbid the performance of
military service and replaced it with alternative national service. The Covenant does not explicitly refer to a right to conscientious
objection, but the Committee believes that such a right can be derived from article 18, inasmuch as the obligation to use lethal force
may seriously conflict with the freedom of conscience and the right to manifest one’s religion or belief. When this right is recognized
by law or practice, there shall be no differentiation among conscientious objectors on the basis of the nature of their particular beliefs;
likewise, there shall be no discrimination against conscientious objectors because they have failed to perform military service. The
Committee invites States parties to report on the conditions under which persons can be exempted from military service on the basis of
their rights under article 18 and on the nature and length of alternative national service.”