Article 18

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public and private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 20

· Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

· No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

Article 21

1. Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.

2. Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.

3. The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote of by equivalent free voting procedures.

Article 24

Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

Article 25

1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

2. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Article 26

1. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.

2. Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance, and friendship among all nations, racial, or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.

3. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children

Name page

U.N. Declaration of Human Rights period

Read the excerpts from the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights completely and then answer the questions that follow.

1. What rights are included in Article 18?

2. Which Amendment in the Bill of Rights most closely parallels Articles 18, 19, and 20?

3. According to Article 21, what type of government is a universal human right?

4. Reread Article 24. Do you feel that this constitutes a universal human right? Why or why not?

5. What type of economic system would best provide the “adequate” standard of living described in Article 25? Explain.

6. According to Article 26, section 2, what should be the purpose of education?

7. Why do you think it was important for many countries of the world to sign this document? What does a country’s agreement to follow this document say about that country?

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