Islam and Human Rights — Page 2
Isl am and Hum an R ights 2 and even under constraint, to what has come to be described as the rule of law. The Declaration of Human Rights does not, in the accepted juristic sense of the term, constitutes a “law”. It stands, nevertheless, as a shining milestone along the long, and often difficult and weary, path trodden by Man down the corridors of History, through centuries of suffering and tribulation, towards the goal of freedom, justice and equal ity. Man’s struggle for freedom, justice and equality has been waged in all ages and in many fields and theatres, with varying fortunes. Each of these battles, and the ground won in each, have, in turn, forwarded the cause of Man and have contributed towards the formulation and adoption of the Declaration, which is entitled to rank with the great historical documents and Charters directed towards the same objective. Some of the written Constitutions, more particularly those of certain newly independent States, have incorporated the substance of several of the articles of the Declaration as substantive provisions, and others have set forth some of them as Directives of State policy. In the former case the relevant provisions have become justiciable and are thus enforceable through judicial process. This is encourag ing, so far as it goes; but it is