The adoption of an internationally equal standard of human rights is an essential pre-requisite for peace.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, was a giant step in the right direction.

The standards set out in the Declaration are at least the minimum that are required as humanity enters its age of maturity. There are significant shortcomings in the UN Human Rights programme, namely limited means of enforcement and too little emphasis on the responsibilities which accompany all rights. However, the Declaration contains the seeds from which a universal recognition of human rights will be able to grow.

The Bahá'í International Community has acquired valuable experience in combating human rights abuses through its efforts to defend the Bahá'ís of Iran from persecution. Appeals to the United Nations and other international bodies for help have resulted in measures with a significant positive effect.

In many countries around the world, national Bahá'í communities work to encourage their governments to develop human rights education programmes, since education is the key to having human rights recognized and upheld.

Since 1947 the Bahá'í International Community has constantly addressed the issues involved in human rights, issuing numerous statements. The principle of the oneness of humanity, which is a central principal of the Bahá'í teachings, provides the moral basis for the application of human rights, irrespective of all differences of racial background, ethnic origin, religious belief or national identity.

The Bahá'í International Community stated to the United Nations in 1995: "The violation of human rights in one state must be the concern of all and enforcement mechanisms must provide for a unified response on the part of the entire international community."

The most widespread and blatant abuse of human rights, violence against women and girls, must be eradicated, as an especially high priority. The urgency of achieving this aim reflects the importance of implementing the equality of men and women as one of the pillars for building world peace. Please refer to Aspects of Peace — Equality of women and men.

Ultimately, respect for human rights must begin in the family. Of particular importance is the role of women in the family. 'Abdu'l-Báhá said in 1912: "Compare the nations of the world to the members of a family. A family is a nation in miniature." He also said, on a different occasion: "As long as women are prevented from attaining their highest possibilities, so long will men be unable to achieve the greatness which might be theirs."

The 1993 World Conference on Human Rights affirmed unequivocally that human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent. They must be recognized and protected internationally if peace, social progress and economic prosperity are to be established.

Any neglect of human rights is unsettling to the foundations of peace and progress, and needs to be seriously addressed. Any abuse of these rights should earn the condemnation of the entire international community.

Quotations in context

Click on the links below to search for quotations from this page, in Bahá'í reference websites.

• "The violation of human rights in one state must be the concern of all and enforcement mechanisms must provide for a unified response on the part of the entire international community…" See "Turning Point for All Nations"
• "Compare the nations of the world to the members of a family. A family is a nation in miniature."
• "As long as women are prevented from attaining their highest possibilities, so long will men be unable to achieve the greatness which might be theirs."