Topic 2: Easy Reading Versions of UDHR Articles 18 – 21
UDHR Article 18: Freedom of Thought and Conscience and Religion
You have the right to believe the things you want to believe, to have ideas about right and wrong, and to believe in any religion you want. This includes the right to change your religion if you want and to practice it without anybody interfering.
UDHR Article 19: Freedom of opinion and expression and to seek, give and receive information
You have the right to tell people how you feel about things without being told that you have to keep quiet. You have the right to understand what is happening in the world around you, to read the newspaper or listen to the radio without someone trying to stop you, no matter where you live. Finally, you have the right to print your opinions in a newspaper or magazine and send them anywhere.
UDHR Article 20: Freedom of association and assembly (gathering together with other people)
- You have the right to gather peacefully with people and to be with anyone you want.
- No one can force you to join or belong to any group.
UDHR Article 21: Right to take part in and select government
- You have the right to be part of your government by being in it, or choosing the people who are, in fair elections.
- Everyone has the right to serve her or his country in some way.
- The first job of any government is to do what its people want it to do. This means you have the right to have elections every so often, where each person’s vote counts the same and where everyone’s vote is his or her own business.