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Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states:

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 or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

This Library Note provides background reading for the debate. It briefly examines Article 18’s status in international law, its role in promoting freedom of belief, and then presents sources which examine freedom of religion around the world.

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