Two Masonic Obediences - the Grand Orient of Switzerland and the Symbolic & Traditional Grand Lodge of Africa - have signed the Universal Declaration of Humankind Rights

The Grand Orient of Switzerland (GOS) and the Traditional Symbolic Grand Lodge of Africa (GLTSA) have recently signed the Universal Declaration of Rights of Humanity. This text, drawn up in two thousand and fifteen on the initiative of the French government, aims to extend fundamental rights to environmental, cultural, and intergenerational issues. Drafted under the direction of Corinne Lepage, it is presented as a global ethical charter, calling for the recognition of rights and duties common to all humanity. Open for signature to all entities that share its principles, it has already received the support of several States, institutions, local authorities, and associations. The recent commitment of two Masonic obediences fits into this framework.

A declaration drafted prior to COP21

The Universal Declaration of Rights of Humanity was drafted in two thousand and fifteen in the context of the twenty-first Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21), held in Paris. This conference constituted an important moment in international environmental diplomacy, with the major objective of adopting a global agreement on limiting global warming. Within this framework, President François Hollande entrusted Corinne Lepage, former Minister of the Environment, with the mission of formulating a text intended to promote a universal ethical approach around issues related to preserving the planet, intergenerational solidarity, and human dignity.

Corinne Lepage (in the centre) and François Hollande (on the right)

Corinne Lepage, a lawyer and figure committed for several decades to environmental law issues, brought together a working committee composed of legal experts, specialists, and representatives of international institutions. The resulting text is deliberately succinct and accessible, so that it can be adopted or supported by a wide variety of actors, regardless of their culture, political system, or legal system.

The choice of the term "declaration" refers to a type of symbolic document, without binding legal value, but bearing an ethical or philosophical orientation. It forms part of the tradition of major universal texts, like the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen of seventeen eighty-nine or the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of nineteen forty-eight, adopted by the United Nations Organization.

Since its publication, the Universal Declaration of Rights of Humanity has been translated into several languages and widely distributed to national and international institutions. It has been presented in various venues, notably at UNESCO, and has been supported by several governments, local authorities, and civil society organizations.

An architecture articulating rights and duties

One of the distinctive elements of this Declaration lies in the balance it proposes between six fundamental rights recognised for humanity, and six corresponding duties, formulated symmetrically. This approach aims to combine the recognition of rights with a requirement of responsibility, both individual and collective.

The six fundamental rights:

1. The right to a healthy environment:
   Every human being, present and future, is recognised as holding the right to live in an environment favourable to their health, fulfilment, and development.
2. The right to a responsible, equitable, and sustainable development:
   This right underlines the importance of development that respects natural balances, concerned with social justice and solidarity between generations.
3. The right to the preservation of global common goods:
   Certain elements of global natural heritage — such as climate, oceans, air, fresh water, and biodiversity — are considered non-appropriable goods, which must be protected for all humanity.
4. The right to peace:
   Peace is set forth as an essential condition of human life and the protection of the planet.
5. The right to biological and cultural diversity:
   The diversity of cultures and life forms is recognised as a richness that must be preserved and respected.
6. The right to information and participation:
   This right guarantees everyone access to environmental information and the opportunity to participate in decisions affecting the community.

The six corresponding duties:

1. Respect life in all its forms:
   Humanity is called upon to recognise the intrinsic value of living beings and to act with respect towards them.
2. Do no harm to others or to the environment:
   This duty sets out a general principle of doing no harm, both to individuals and to ecosystems.
3. Cooperate with other peoples and generations:
   Solidarity, cooperation and dialogue between cultures are presented as conditions for the common good.
4. Act with fairness and justice:
   Resources and responsibilities must be shared equitably, according to principles of global justice.
5. Preserve the planet and its natural balances:
   Humanity is invited not to cross critical ecological boundaries.
6. Act with conscience and responsibility:
   This duty calls on everyone to weigh up the consequences of their actions and exercise discernment.

All of these rights and duties form a moral framework aimed at encouraging a collective awareness around global issues, from an ethical and intergenerational perspective.

An accession following on from institutional support

The Grand Orient of Switzerland and the Traditional Symbolic Grand Lodge of Africa are now among the many entities to have expressed their support for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Their signatures were made public on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the text, celebrated during an international conference organised in Geneva, at the United Nations premises, on the thirteenth of May two thousand twenty-five.

This event, marked by continuity and the influence of the text, brought together various figures from politics, associations and academia. On this occasion, several institutions renewed or affirmed their support for the Declaration, reaffirming its role as a reference document in the field of contemporary ethical reflection.

Signature of the Declaration by the Marseille Bar Association, 2017

In this context, the participation of the Grand Orient of Switzerland and the Traditional Symbolic Grand Lodge of Africa is part of a broader dynamic of recognition of the principles expressed in the Declaration. This text, open for signature to any entity wishing to affirm its values, has received widespread support since two thousand and fifteen, both from States and international organisations, local authorities and civil society actors - and now Masonic obediences.

A progressive dissemination in various spheres

Since its publication, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been brought to many spaces of reflection and cooperation. In particular, it has been presented to the United Nations General Assembly, the European Parliament, UNESCO, and several intergovernmental or non-governmental dialogue bodies. Local authorities in France and abroad have also adopted motions of support or recognition of the text.

Its dissemination has relied on a strategy of continuous communication, including publications, symposia, workshops and meetings. The website dedicated to the Declaration offers the full version of the text, translated into several languages, as well as an updated list of signatories.

The presence of the Declaration in varied contexts – education, sustainable development, diplomacy, culture – shows its transversal vocation. It presents itself as a flexible instrument that can be used by any actor wishing to be part of a global ethical dynamic.

Conclusion

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, born in the context of COP21 and driven by a desire for ethical convergence on a global scale, continues to attract diverse support. Its structure based on the articulation of rights and duties, its non-binding scope and its accessibility enable its adoption or support by many institutional actors.

The signatures of the Grand Orient of Switzerland and the Traditional Symbolic Grand Lodge of Africa add to this momentum, placing these two Masonic obediences in a process of adherence to the principles set out in the text. This participation takes place within a voluntary, open framework in keeping with the spirit of the Declaration, the main objective of which remains the promotion of a shared awareness of the issues concerning the future of humanity and the planet.