Geneva -- Craig Kuehl, a member of the U.S. delegation to the 52nd Session of the U.N. Human Rights Commission, says "The principle of religious tolerance should protect everyone's beliefs. Governments and individuals everywhere must recognize this and meet their obligations under the Universal Declaration."

In a speech to the U.N. Commission on April 1, Kuehl said "Religious tolerance is a fundamental tenet of American life, enshrined in our Bill of Rights and laws." He cited the Muslim community in the U.S. which, he said is "vibrant and growing and is making many positive contributions to our society. ...

"The important role this great religion plays in American life was clearly demonstrated at the ceremony First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton hosted at the White House recently at Eid al Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan."

"This is not to say, however, that we can tolerate extremists in countries like Algeria ... Nor can we accept the bloody acts of terrorism in Israel." Kuehl also noted Iran's "continuing persecution of its religious minorities" and called on the members of the Human Rights Commission to join in condemning Iran's "intolerable behavior."

Following is the official text of Kuehl's speech, as prepared for delivery:

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Mr. Chairman:

Throughout history, the search for spirituality, God or truth and a better understanding of our place on earth has defined and shaped our civilization. Indeed, from the earliest times human law has grown from religious understanding.

The precepts upon which the great religions of the world are based have given order and understanding to a world that has often seemed chaotic and unformed. Together, they form a shining monument to our highest aspirations, an extricable link between the divine and humankind.

The first articulations of human rights, such as are found in the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas, were cast in terms of divine law and its moral implications. With the era of enlightenment came its corollary, natural law. One of the most eloquent to bring these threads together was the American Thomas Jefferson, who wrote in our Declaration of Independence: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights."

By the time Jefferson wrote these words, over 200 years ago, Americans had already come to know and treasure their religious freedom. For the early colonists -- many of whom had been victims of religious persecution -- had learned that the best way to survive on the rough frontier was to get along with one's neighbors, whatever their religion. It was a matter of both principle and practicality. So it remains today.

Religious tolerance is a fundamental tenet of American life, enshrined in our Bill of Rights and laws. We have never questioned its value to our society, nor doubted that it applies, as Jefferson said, not just to Americans, but to everyone.

We are proud that over time such views have been embraced by the nations of the world, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a succession of United Nations documents and resolutions. Indeed, this year marks the 15th anniversary of the UN General Assembly's Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.

Article 18 of the Universal Declaration specifically states that "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and 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."

No articulation of religious freedom has been more widely acknowledged or universally accepted than this. None is more central to promoting religious tolerance. And yet, in far too many places, the freedom to practice religion as one sees fit remains restricted or repressed.

The principle of religious tolerance should protect everyone's beliefs. Governments and individuals everywhere must recognize this and meet their obligations under the Universal Declaration. It is certainly important to my government and the people of the United States that they do.

Over the years the United States has welcomed many faiths and made a place for them among our people. We are proud, for example, that our Muslim community is vibrant and growing and is making many positive contributions to our society. We have the highest respect for the achievements of Muslim civilization. The important role this great religion plays in American life was clearly demonstrated at the ceremony First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton hosted at the White House recently at Eid al Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan.

This is not to say, however, that we can tolerate extremists in countries like Algeria, who claim to speak for Islam, then slash women's throats because they disapprove of the way they dress. Nor can we accept the bloody acts of terrorism in Israel.

We noted that the Special Rapporteur on religious intolerance visited Iran this past December. There he had an opportunity to observe and document that country's continuing persecution of its religious minorities. We recommend his report to all members of the Human Rights Commission and call on them to join us in condemning Iran's intolerable behavior.

There are many places where nationalism masquerades as religion and its high ideals. But why should we accept such obvious duplicity? We must speak out against the desecration of places of worship in the former Yugoslavia and increased anti-Moslem discrimination in Europe.

The United States cannot accept religious intolerance, wherever it takes place. We could not be true to ourselves if we did. Virtually all the world's great religions have found a home in our country. Each is part of us; each is valued for the richness and diversity it brings us.

Mr. Chairman, religious freedom is a human right. It is inscribed in the Universal Declaration and thus belongs to everyone. It is the duty of this Commission to focus the world's attention on those who fail to live up to the standards of religious tolerance we have established. But it is also our duty to reach out to those who are working to enhance religious tolerance and promoting religious freedom. We must all strive to embrace mutual understanding. We serve mankind better when we do.

Thank you.

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