The Baha’i teachings affirm that there is only one human family and that all people share the same universal human rights.

The Baha’i commitment to human rights is based on the recognition of the fundamental dignity of the human being as a creation of God.

Baha’is endeavor to contribute to a just society where human rights are valued and protected. In their own community life and in collaboration with civil society, government and international partners, they work to implement freedom of conscience, the equality of men and women, the elimination of extremes of poverty and wealth, the elimination of prejudice and other key principles of Baha’i belief.

U.S. Ratification of UN Human Rights Trearties

Baha'is support the creation of an international legal framework and effective multilateral institutions to monitor human rights violations and encourage the enforcement of global standards.

Since 1985, American Baha'is have been in leadership roles to bring about U.S. ratification of international human rights treaties including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the UN Convention against Genocide, the UN Convention against Torture and the UN Convention to Eliminate Racial Discrimination.

Current ratification efforts focus on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC). Baha'i representatives currently serve on the steering committees of the Working Group on the Ratification of CEDAW and the Campaign for U.S. Ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.