“Protecting the Right to Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion: 75 Years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights”

October 1-3, 2023

International Center for Law and Religion Studies
J. Reuben Clark Law School – Brigham Young University
Provo, Utah, USA

Recordings of the plenary and breakout sessions

will be made available after the event.

More information to come.

This year, the Annual International Law and Religion Symposium celebrates not only its own 30th anniversary, but also commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its protections of thought, conscience, and religion. The Universal Declaration serves as the cornerstone of contemporary international protections of human rights, including freedom of religion or belief. Its protections have been repeated numerous times in international and regional treaties and in national constitutions.

Despite its enormous impact, the Universal Declaration and the rights of thought, conscience, and religion it protects continue to face challenges. Some question the claim to universal rights, while populist movements seek to entrench protections only for majority religions. Others wonder if diverse religions can truly create a cohesive society or fight against robust understandings of freedom of religion or belief.

The Annual Law and Religion Symposium brings together a wide-ranging group of over 100 scholars, diplomats, judges, and government, civic and religious leaders from over 65 countries. Together we will look at questions such as:

• the role of religion and diplomacy in implementing the values of the Universal Declaration;
• how current religious leaders and movements understand the concept of human dignity and religious freedom;
• the role of the rule of law in ensuring that the rights proclaimed in the Universal Declaration are meaningful;
• how diverse religions can create a unified society; and
• how the Universal Declaration has had an impact on religious freedom in international tribunals and nations around the globe.