The Freedom of Religion and Rights in Africa on International Perspectives

The history of human kind wasstruggle for religious freedom has been ongoing for centuries, and has led to innumerable, tragic conflicts. The right to freedom of religion is an important and effective mechanism regulating the relationship between religion and the state. It therefore comes as no surprise that the right to freedom of religion is recognized in most prominent international human rights instruments, as well as in the bills of rights of many individual countries. The rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights cover a wide spectrum of human interests and activities and has had a profound impact on the legal system as a whole. Each right protects certain interests and conduct of those persons protected under the Bill of rights. The Bill of Rights applies to all law and binds all legislative, executive, judicial and other organs of state. The United Nations Organization recognized the importance of freedom of religion or belief in the year 1948, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, in which Article 18 says that “Every one shall have the right to freedom of thought and conscience and religion” The States should take the responsibility to protecting the human rights of the citizens. The attempt of Universal declaration to develop on enforceable human rights instrument related to freedom of religion has been unsuccessful in several countries. The States shall take effective measure to prevent and eliminate discrimination based on religion or belief. The African country is no exception to protecting the rights of freedom of religion like other countries. This article concludes the international declarations in regarding to the freedom of religion, rights and responsibilities of the citizens and state.