--- title: VIII.A. Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion description: "Our global network of contributors to the [*AI & Human Rights Index*](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/) is currently writing these articles and glossary entries. This particular page is currently in the recruitment and research stage. Please return later to see where this page is in the [editorial…" url: "https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/Docs/viii-a-thought/" updated: "2025-10-17" category: "• Introduction / VIII. Human Agency & Expression" --- # VIII.A. Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion Our global network of contributors to the [*AI & Human Rights Index*](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/) is currently writing these articles and glossary entries. This particular page is currently in the recruitment and research stage. Please return later to see where this page is in the [editorial workflow](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/). Thank you! We look forward to learning with and from you. --- [Insert statement of urgency and significance for why this right relates to AI.] # **Sectors** The contributors of the *AI & Human Rights Index* have identified the following sectors as responsible for both using AI to protect and advance this human right. - [COM: Media and Communication](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/com/) - [ART: Arts and Culture](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/art/) - [LAW: Legal and Law Enforcement](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/law/) - [REG: Regulatory and Oversight Bodies](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/reg/) - [TECH: Technology and IT](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/tech/) # AI’s Potential Violations [Insert 300- to 500-word analysis of how AI could violate this human right.] # AI’s Potential Benefits [Insert 300- to 500-word analysis of how AI could advance this human right.] # Human Rights Instruments ## Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) G.A. Res. 217 (III) A, [Universal Declaration of Human Rights](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ARES217-A-III-UDHR.pdf), U.N. Doc. A/RES/217(III) (Dec. 10, 1948) Article 18 > Everyone has the right to [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) to change his religion or belief, and [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/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. ## American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man (1948) [Insert Blubook Format Citation] Article 3 > Every person has the right freely to profess a religious faith, and to manifest and practice it both in public and in private. ## European Convention on the Protection of Human Rights (1950) [Insert Bluebook Format Citation] Article 9 > 1. Everyone has the right to [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) to change his religion or belief and [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/), either alone or in community with others and > in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance. > 2. [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) to manifest one’s religion or beliefs shall be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of public [Safety](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/safety/), > for the protection of public order, health or morals, or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. > ## International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966) G.A. Res. 2200A (XXI), [International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/iccpr.pdf), U.N. Doc. A/6316 (1966), 999 U.N.T.S. 171 (Dec. 16, 1966) Article 18 > 1. Everyone shall have the right to [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice, and [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/), either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching. > 2. No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice. > 3. [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) to manifest one's religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public [Safety](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/safety/), order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others. > 4. The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to have respect for the liberty of parents and, when applicable, legal guardians to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions. ## American Convention on Human Rights (1969) [Insert Bluebook Format Citation] Article 12 > 1. Everyone has the right to [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) of conscience and of religion. This right includes [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) to maintain or > is [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) to maintain or to change his religion or to change one's religion or beliefs, and [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) to profess or disseminate one's religion or beliefs, either individually or together with others, in public or in private. > 2. No one shall be subject to restrictions that might impair his religion or beliefs ## African Charter on Human Rights (1981) [Insert Bluebook Format Citation] Article 8 > [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) of conscience, the profession and free practice of religion shall be guaranteed. No one may, subject to law and order, be submitted to measures restricting the exercise of these freedoms. ## Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief (1981) [Insert Bluebook Format Citation] Article 1 > 1. Everyone shall have the right to [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) to have a religion or whatever belief of his choice, and [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/), either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching. > > > > 2. No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) to have a religion or belief of his choice. > > > > 3. [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) to manifest one's religion or belief may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public [Safety](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/safety/), order, health or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others. ## Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) G.A. Res. 44/25, [Convention on the Rights of the Child](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ARES4425.pdf), U.N. Doc. A/RES/44/25 (Nov. 20, 1989) Article 14 > 1. States Parties shall respect the right of the child to [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) of thought, conscience and religion. > > > > 2. States Parties shall respect the rights and duties of the parents and, when applicable, legal guardians, to provide direction to the child in the exercise of his or her right in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child. > > > > 3. [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) to manifest one's religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public [Safety](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/safety/), order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others. ## Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities [Insert Bluebook Format Citation] Article 2 > 1. Persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities (hereinafter referred to as persons belonging to minorities) have the right to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practise their own religion, and to use their own language, in private and in public, freely and without interference or any form of discrimination. ## Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union [Insert Bluebook Format Citation] Article 10 > 1. Everyone has the right to [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) of thought, conscience and religion. This right includes [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/) > to change religion or belief and [Freedom](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/glossary/freedom/), either alone or in community with others and in public or in > private, to manifest religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance. > 2. The right to conscientious objection is recognised, in accordance with the national laws governing > the exercise of this right. [1.0 Research](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/) [2.0 Curate](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/) [3.0 Review](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/) [4.0 Revise](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/) [5.0 Published](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index/editors-desk/) **Last Updated:**  April 18, 2025 **Research Assistant:**  Aarianna Aughtry **Contributor:**  Nathan C. Walker **Reviewer:**  To Be Determined **Editor:**  Alexander Kriebitz **Subject:**  Human Right **Edition:**  Edition 1.0 Research **Recommended Citation:**  "VIII.A. Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion, Edition 1.0 Research." In *[AI & Human Rights Index](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/index)*, edited by Nathan C. Walker, Dirk Brand, Caitlin Corrigan, Georgina Curto Rex, Alexander Kriebitz, John Maldonado, Kanshukan Rajaratnam, Tanya de Villiers-Botha, and Hisham Zawil. New York: All Tech is Human; Camden, NJ: AI Ethics Lab at Rutgers University, 2026. Accessed October 21, 2026. [https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/Docs/viii-a-thought/](https://aiethicslab.rutgers.edu/Docs/viii-a-thought/).