Universal Declaration of Human Rights

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) was a United Nations' definition of basic human rights as including "life, liberty, and security of person."

They can broadly be split into two groups; Articles 4 - 22 outline civil and political rights, such as the right to vote, and the right to freedom of speech; while 23 - 30 give socioeconomic rights, such as the rights to social security, healthcare, education, and a clean environment. Many of the articles run directly contrary to Marxist doctrine.

Article 18

Article 18 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 article was not recieved into much of the Soviet bloc until after the collapse of Communism. In China, the CCP still targets and persecutes certain religious beleivers, notably Christians and Falun Gong.

Reference

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Adopted and proclaimed by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III) of 10 December 1948.