The Role pf religion in the realization and protection of human rights

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Bachelor of Laws Degree, Strathmore University Law SchoolWorld over, religion has been used as a tool for the violation of guaranteed rights and freedoms. As a result of this, emphasis has been made on the negative consequences brought about by the right to freedom of religion. The aim of this paper is to establish the place of religion in the protection and implementation of human rights. The paper argues from the point of view of natural law by asserting that human rights and religion are indispensable to human beings. It further argues that, without religion the government plays an exaggerated role in ensuring that human rights are protected and respected. The paper establishes that religion and human rights are interdependent and that there is need to get rid of the vices being witnessed in different religious communities. This can be done through religious leaders who are able to educate the people at the local level on human rights and the need to respect the rights and freedom of others. Further, any religious commandment that requires the killing of another human being is inconsistent with natural law and therefore in need of internal transformation. Emphasis is made on the need to find a middle ground between the different religious doctrines by relying on ethical principles that are inherent in every human being