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The Cairo  Declaration  on  Human  Rights  in  Islam  
Adopted  and  Issued  at the  Nineteenth  Islamic Conference   
of  Foreign  Ministers  in  Cairo   
on  5  August  1990.  
The  Member  States  of  the  Organization  of  the  Islamic  Conference, 
Reaffirming  the  civilizing  and  historical  role of  the  Islamic  Ummah  which  God  made  the  best  
nation  that  has  given  mankind  a universal  and  well‐ balanced  civilization  in  which  harmony  is  
established  between  this  life  and  the  hereafter  and knowledge  is  combined  with  faith;  and  
the  role  that  this Ummah  should play  to guide  a  humanity  confused  by  competing  trends  
and  ideologies  and  to  provide  solutions  to  the  chronic  problems  of  this  materialistic  
civilization.  
Wishing  to contribute  to  the  efforts  of  mankind  to  assert  human  rights,  to protect  man  from  
exploitation  and  persecution,  and to  affirm  his  freedom  and  right  to  a  dignified  life  in  
accordance  with  the  Islamic  Shari’ah  
Convinced  that mankind  which  has  reached  an  advanced  stage  in  materialistic  science is  still,  
and  shall  remain,  in dire  need  of faith  to  support  its  civilization  and  of  a  self ‐motivating  force  
to  guard  its  rights;  
Believing  that  fundamental  rights  and  universal  freedoms  in  Islam  are  an  integral  part  of  the  
Islamic  religion  and  that  no one  as  a matter  of principle  has  the  right  to  suspend  them  in  
whole  or in  part  or  violate  or ignore  them  in  as  much  as  they  are  binding  divine 
commandments,  which are  contained  in  the  Revealed  Books  of  God  and  were  sent  through  
the  last  of  His  Prophets  to  complete  the  preceding  divine  messages  thereby making their 
observance  an  act  of  worship  and  their  neglect  or  violation  an abominable  sin,  and  
accordingly  every  person  is  individually  responsible  — and  the  Ummah  collectively  
responsible  — for  their  safeguard.  
Proceeding  from  the  above ‐mentioned  principles,  
Declare  the  following:  
Article  1   
(a)       All human  beings  form  one  family  whose  members  are  united  by  submission  to  God  
and  descent  from  Adam.   All men  are equal  in  terms  of  basic  human  dignity  and  basic  
obligations  and  responsibilities,  without  any  discrimination  on the  grounds  of  race,  colour,  
language,  sex,  religious  belief,  political  affiliation,  social  status or  other  considerations.   True 
faith  is the  guarantee  for  enhancing  such  dignity  along  the  path  to  human  perfection.   
(b)      All  human  beings  are  God’s  subjects,  and  the  most  loved  by  him  are those  who  are  
most  useful  to  the  rest  of  His  subjects,  and  no  one  has  superiority  over  another  except  on  
the  basis  of  piety  and  good  deeds.  
Article  2   
(a)       Life  is a  God ‐given  gift  and  the  right  to  life  is  guaranteed  to  every  human  being.   It is  

the duty  of  individuals,  societies  and  states  to  protect  this  right  from  any  violation,  and  it  is  
prohibited  to  take  away  life  except  for  a  Shari’ah ‐prescribed  reason.   
(b)      It  is  forbidden  to  resort  to  such  means  as may  result  in  the  genocidal  annihilation  of  
mankind.   
(c)     The  preservation  of  human  life  throughout  the  term  of  time  willed  by  God  is  a  duty  
prescribed  by  Shari’ah.   
(d)      Safety  from  bodily  harm  is  a  guaranteed  right.   It  is  the  duty  of  the  state  to  safeguard  
it,  and  it  is  prohibited  to  breach  it  without  a  Shari’ah ‐prescribed  reason. 
Article  3   
(a)       In the  event  of  the  use  of  force  and  in  case  of  armed  conflict,  it  is  not  permissible  to  kill  
non ‐belligerents  such  as  old  men,  women  and  children.   The  wounded  and  the  sick  shall 
have  the  right  to  medical  treatment;  and prisoners  of  war  shall  have the  right  to  be  fed,  
sheltered  and  clothed.   It  is  prohibited  to  mutilate  dead  bodies.   It is  a  duty  to  exchange  
prisoners  of  war  and  to  arrange  visits  or  reunions  of  the  families  separated  by  the  
circumstances  of  war.   
(b)      It  is  prohibited  to  fell  trees,  to damage  crops or  livestock,  and  to  destroy  the  enemy’s 
civilian  buildings  and  installations  by  shelling,  blasting  or  any  other  means.  
Article  4   
Every  human  being  is  entitled  to  inviolability  and  the  protection  of  his  good  name  and  
honour  during  his life  and  after  his death.   The state  and  society  shall  protect  his  remains  
and  burial  place.  
Article  5   
(a)      The  family  is  the  foundation  of  society,  and  marriage  is  the  basis  of  its  formation.   Men  
and  women  have  the  right  to  marriage,  and no  restrictions  stemming  from  race,  colour  or  
nationality  shall  prevent  them  from  enjoying  this  right.   
(b)      Society  and  the  State  shall  remove  all  obstacles  to  marriage  and  shall  facilitate  marital 
procedure.   They  shall  ensure  family  protection  and  welfare.  
Article  6   
(a)       Woman  is  equal  to  man  in  human  dignity,  and  has  rights  to  enjoy  as  well  as duties  to  
perform;  she has  her  own  civil  entity  and  financial  independence,  and  the  right  to  retain  her  
name  and lineage.   
(b)      The  husband  is  responsible  for the  support  and  welfare  of  the  family.  
Article  7   
(a)       As of  the  moment  of  birth,  every  child  has  rights  due  from  the  parents,  society  and  the  
state  to  be  accorded  proper  nursing,  education  and  material,  hygienic  and  moral  care.   Both  
the  fetus  and  the  mother  must  be  protected  and accorded  special  care.   
(b)      Parents  and  those  in  such  like  capacity  have  the  right  to  choose  the  type  of  education  
they  desire  for  their  children,  provided  they  take  into  consideration  the  interest  and  future  
of  the  children  in accordance  with ethical  values  and  the  principles  of  the  Shari’ah.  
(c)     Both  parents  are  entitled  to  certain  rights   from   their   children,  and   relatives   are 
entitled  to  rights  from  their  kin,  in  accordance  with  the  tenets  of  the  Shari’ah.  

Article 8   
Every  human  being  has  the  right  to  enjoy  his legal  capacity  in  terms  of  both  obligation  and  
commitment.  Should  this  capacity  be  lost  or  impaired,  he  shall  be  represented  by  his  
guardian.  
Article  9   
(a)      The  quest  for  knowledge  is  an  obligation,  and  the  provision  of education  is  a  duty  for  
society  and the  State.   The  State  shall  ensure  the  availability  of  ways  and  means  to  acquire  
education  and  shall  guarantee  educational  diversity  in  the  interest  of  society  so  as  to enable 
man  to  be  acquainted  with  the  religion  of  Islam  and  the  facts  of  the  Universe  for  the  benefit 
of  mankind.   
(b)      Every  human  being  has  the  right  to  receive  both  religious  and  worldly  education  from 
the  various  institutions  of  education  and  guidance,  including  the  family,  the  school,  the  
university,  the  media,  etc.,  and  in  such  an  integrated  and  balanced  manner  as  to develop  his  
personality,  strengthen  his  faith  in  God  and  promote  his  respect  for  and  defence  of both  
rights  and  obligations.  
Article  10  
Islam  is  the  religion  of unspoiled  nature.   It is  prohibited  to  exercise  any  form  of  compulsion 
on  man  or  to  exploit  his  poverty  or  ignorance  in order  to  convert  him  to another  religion  or 
to  atheism.  
Article  11  
(a)       Human  beings are  born  free, and  no  one  has  the  right  to  enslave,  humiliate,  oppress  or  
exploit  them,  and  there  can  be  no  subjugation  but to God  the  Most ‐High.   
(b)      Colonialism  of  all  types  being  one  of  the  most  evil  forms  of  enslavement  is  totally  
prohibited.  Peoples  suffering  from colonialism  have  the  full  right  to  freedom  and  self ‐
determination.   It is  the  duty  of  all  States  and  peoples  to  support  the  struggle  of  colonized   
peoples   for  the   liquidation   of  all  forms  of  colonialism  and  occupation,  and  all  States  and  
peoples  have  the  right  to  preserve  their  independent  identity  and  exercise  control  over their  
wealth  and  natural  resources.  
Article  12  
Every  man  shall  have  the  right,  within  the  framework  of  Shari’ah,  to  free  movement  and  to  
select  his  place  of  residence  whether  inside  or  outside  his country  and,  if  persecuted,  is 
entitled  to  seek  asylum  in  another  country.   The country  of  refuge  shall  ensure  his  protection 
until  he  reaches  safety,  unless asylum  is motivated  by  an  act  which  Shari’ah  regards  as a 
crime.   
  
Article  13  
Work  is  a  right  guaranteed  by  the  State  and  Society  for  each  person  able  to  work.   Everyone  
shall  be free  to  choose  the work  that  suits  him  best  and  which  serves  his  interests  and  those  
of  society.   The  employee  shall  have the  right  to  safety  and  security  as  well  as  to all  other  
social  guarantees.   He  may  neither  be  assigned  work  beyond  his capacity  nor  be subjected  to  
compulsion  or  exploited  or  harmed  in  any  way.   He  shall  be entitled  —  without  any 
discrimination  between  males  and  females  —  to  fair  wages  for  his  work  without  delay,  as 

well as to the  holidays,  allowances  and  promotions  which  he  deserves.   For his part,  he shall  
be  required  to  be  dedicated  and  meticulous  in  his  work.   Should  workers  and  employers  
disagree  on  any  matter,  the  State  shall  intervene  to  settle  the  dispute  and  have  the  
grievances  redressed,  the rights  confirmed  and justice  enforced  without  bias.  
Article  14  
Everyone  shall  have  the  right  to  legitimate  gains  without  monopolization,  deceit  or  harm  to  
oneself  or  to  others.   Usury  (riba)  is  absolutely  prohibited.  
Article  15  
(a)      Everyone  shall  have the  right  to  own  property  acquired  in  a  legitimate  way,  and shall 
be  entitled  to  the  rights  of  ownership,  without    prejudice    to   oneself,   others  or  to society 
in  general.   Expropriation  is  not  permissible  except for  the  requirements  of  public  interest  
and  upon  payment  of  immediate  and  fair  compensation   
(b)      Confiscation  and  seizure  of  property  is  prohibited  except  for  a  necessity  dictated  by  
law.  
Article  16  
Everyone  shall have  the  right  to  enjoy  the fruits  of  his  scientific,  literary,  artistic  or  technical  
production  and  the  right  to  protect  the  moral  and  material  interests  stemming  therefrom,  
provided  that  such  production  is  not  contrary  to  the  principles  of  Shari’ah.  
Article  17  
(a)      Everyone  shall  have the  right  to  live  in a clean  environment,  away  from  vice  and  moral  
corruption,  an  environment  that  would  foster  his  self ‐development;  and  it  is  incumbent  
upon  the State  and  society  in  general  to afford  that  right.   
(b)      Everyone  shall  have the  right  to  medical  and  social  care,  and  to  all  public  amenities  
provided  by  society  and  the  State  within  the  limits  of  their  available  resources.   
(c)     The  State  shall  ensure  the  right  of  the  individual  to  a  decent  living  which  will  enable 
him  to meet  all  his requirements  and  those  of  his  dependents,  including  food,  clothing,  
housing,  education,  medical  care  and  all  other  basic  needs.  
Article  18  
(a)      Everyone  shall  have the  right  to  live  in security  for  himself,  his  religion,  his  dependents,  
his  honour  and  his  property.   
(b)      Everyone  shall  have the  right  to  privacy  in  the  conduct  of  his  private  affairs,  in his  
home,  among  his  family,  with regard  to  his  property  and  his  relationships.  It  is  not  permitted  
to  spy  on him,  to  place  him  under  surveillance  or  to  besmirch  his  good  name.   The State  shall 
protect  him  from  arbitrary  interference.   
(c)     A  private residence  is  inviolable  in  all  cases.    It  will   not   be   entered   without  
permission   from  its   inhabitants   or   in   any  unlawful  manner,  nor  shall  it be  demolished  or  
confiscated  and  its  dwellers  evicted.  
Article  19  
(a)       All individuals  are  equal  before  the  law,  without  distinction  between  the  ruler  and  the  
ruled.   
(b)      The  right  to  resort  to  justice  is  guaranteed  to  everyone.   

(c)     Liability is  in  essence  personal.   
(d)      There  shall be  no  crime  or  punishment  except  as provided  for  in  the  Shari’ah.   
(e)      A  defendant  is  innocent  until  his  guilt  is  proven  in a fair  trial  in which  he  shall  be  given  
all  the  guarantees  of  defence.  
Article  20  
It  is  not  permitted  without  legitimate  reason  to  arrest  an  individual,  or  restrict  his  freedom,  
to  exile  or to  punish  him.   It is  not  permitted  to  subject  him  to  physical  or psychological  
torture  or  to  any  form  of  humiliation,  cruelty  or  indignity.   Nor is it  permitted  to subject  an  
individual  to  medical  or  scientific  experimentation  without  his  consent  or  at  the  risk  of  his  
health  or  of  his  life.   Nor  is it  permitted  to  promulgate  emergency  laws  that  would  provide  
executive  authority  for  such  actions.  
Article  21  
Taking  hostages  under  any  form  or  for  any  purpose  is  expressly  forbidden.  
Article  22  
(a)      Everyone  shall  have  the  right  to  express  his  opinion  freely in  such  manner  as  would  not 
be  contrary  to  the  principles  of  the  Shari’ah.   
(b)      Everyone  shall  have the  right  to  advocate  what  is  right,  and  propagate  what  is  good,  
and  warn  against  what  is  wrong  and  evil  according  to  the  norms  of Islamic  Shari’ah.   
(c)       Information  is  a  vital  necessity  to  society.   It  may  not  be  exploited  or  misused  in such  a  
way  as  may  violate  sanctities  and  the  dignity  of  Prophets,  undermine  moral and  ethical  
values  or  disintegrate,  corrupt  or harm  society  or weaken  its  faith.   
(d)      It  is  not  permitted  to  arouse  nationalistic  or  doctrinal  hatred  or  to  do  anything  that  
may  be an  incitement  to  any  form  of  racial  discrimination.  
Article  23  
(a)       Authority  is  a  trust;  and  abuse  or  malicious  exploitation  thereof  is  absolutely  
prohibited,  so  that  fundamental  human  rights  may  be  guaranteed.   
(b)      Everyone  shall  have the  right  to  participate,  directly  or indirectly  in  the  administration  
of  his  country’s  public  affairs.   He shall  also have  the  right  to  assume  public  office  in 
accordance  with  the  provisions  of  Shari’ah.  
Article  24  
All  the  rights  and  freedoms  stipulated  in  this  Declaration  are  subject  to  the  Islamic  Shari’ah.  
Article  25  
The  Islamic  Shari’ah  is  the  only  source  of  reference  for  the explanation  or clarification  to any 
of  the  articles  of  this  Declaration.  
Cairo,  14  Muharram  1411H   
5  August  1990