Jewish Human Rights Network
Bringing Jewish people together to speak out for Human Rights
The Declaration on Judaism and Human Rights
We the undersigned have adopted this Declaration as an affirmation that the ideals underlying the framework of human rights are an essential part of the core values and traditions of Judaism.
Jewish tradition teaches us that all humanity is created in the same image and that it is a desecration of all that we hold to be sacrosanct to destroy a human life. Through these values we come to appreciate human dignity and the duties and responsibilities that one human being has for another.
We believe that the framework of Human Rights flows naturally from these duties that we have to each other. Just as individuals have a responsibility to deal justly with each other and to obey the laws of the state, so do states have a duty and responsibility to deal justly with their citizens. The framework of human rights enshrines these state obligations.
Our tradition teaches us that we must not stand idly by whilst another human being suffers and when others are in need. Further, we learn from Jewish values to cherish the concepts of life, liberty, justice, dignity, education, community and welfare, all of which are enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The Jewish people know from their history the consequences of communities standing by silently, whilst others suffer. We must all learn from history if we are not to repeat its mistakes. Having suffered racism, discrimination, collective punishment, torture and genocide, we have a moral duty to speak out whenever we witness such violations.
Remembering the expulsions of whole communities, we understand the need to promote justice, reparations and restitution; remembering the struggle to preserve our basic cultural rights to education, language and religious practice, we value these rights for all.
Accordingly, we:
Reaffirm
our dedication to the advancement and protection of fundamental rights and
freedoms for all people
Call on
all states to work with the international human rights community to uphold
these principles
Call on
Jewish communities to preserve and sharpen the traditional sensitivity of the
Jewish conscience to the plight of those suffering human rights abuses
Reaffirm
our faith in education and learning, as means to advance humanity
Recognise that the important Jewish contribution to human rights is one
amongst many made by different religions and peoples, and recall our many
joint efforts in this cause
Seek to promote human rights, fundamental freedoms and human dignity for all humankind in partnership with all those who wish to do so.
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To sign the declaration mail jhrn@renecassin.org or call 020 7485 1475
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