Impartiality (also called evenhandedness or fair-mindedness) is a principle of

justice Justice, in its broadest sense, is the principle that people receive that which they deserve, with the interpretation of what then constitutes "deserving" being impacted upon by numerous fields, with many differing viewpoints and perspective ...

holding that decisions should be based on objective criteria, rather than on the basis of

bias Bias is a disproportionate weight ''in favor of'' or ''against'' an idea or thing, usually in a way that is closed-minded, prejudicial, or unfair. Biases can be innate or learned. People may develop biases for or against an individual, a group ...

prejudice Prejudice can be an affective feeling towards a person based on their perceived group membership. The word is often used to refer to a preconceived (usually unfavourable) evaluation or classification of another person based on that person's per ...

, or preferring the benefit to one person over another for improper reasons.

Legal concept

European Union law refers in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union to: * A right to good administration: :''Every person has the right to have his or her affairs handled impartially, fairly and within a

reasonable time Reasonable time is that amount of time which is fairly necessary, conveniently, to do whatever is required to be done, as soon as circumstances permit. This phrase is a U.S. legal term that has been a topic of controversy for many years. It is gene ...

by the institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the Union'' (Article 41) * A

right to an effective remedy The Right to an effective remedy is the right of a person whose human rights have been violated to legal remedy. Such a remedy must be accessible, binding, capable of bringing perpetrators to justice, provide appropriate reparations, and prevent fur ...

and to a

fair trial A fair (archaic: faire or fayre) is a gathering of people for a variety of entertainment or commercial activities. Fairs are typically temporary with scheduled times lasting from an afternoon to several weeks. Types Variations of fairs incl ...

: :''Everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial tribunal previously established by law'' (Article 47).European Parliament, Council and Commission
Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union
26 October 2012

Religious concepts

Buddhism

Impartiality is one of the seven factors conducive to spiritual enlightenment in Buddhism.

Christianity

* "For there is no partiality with God". — Romans 2:11, New World Translation of the Holy Scripture (De10:17, 2Ch19:7, Ac10:34,35) * "But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons". — Colossians 3:25, KJV * "My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim that you have faith in our glorious Lord

Jesus Christ Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label= Hebrew/ Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and relig ...

if you favor some people more than others? For instance, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in shabby clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, 'You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor' - well, doesn't this discrimination show that you are guided by wrong motives? Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn't God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren't they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? And yet, you insult the poor man! Isn't it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren't they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear? Yes indeed, it is good when you truly obey our Lord's royal command found in the scriptures: ' Love your neighbor as yourself'. But if you pay special attention to the rich, you are committing a sin, for you are guilty of breaking that law". —

Epistle of James The Epistle of James). is a general epistle and one of the 21 epistles ( didactic letters) in the New Testament. James 1:1 identifies the author as "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ" who is writing to "the twelve tribe ...

2:1-9, NLT * "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere". –

3:17, NIV

Hinduism

* "Truth, O Bharata, as it exists in all the world, is of thirteen kinds. The forms that Truth assumes are impartiality, self-control, forgiveness, modesty, endurance, goodness, renunciation, contemplation, dignity, fortitude, compassion, and abstention from injury". – Truth, The Mahabharata, Santi Parva, Section CLXII.

Islam

* "O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for Allah, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, Allah is more worthy of both. So follow not ersonalinclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort our testimonyor refuse

o give it O, or o, is the fifteenth letter and the fourth vowel letter in the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''o'' (pronounced ), plu ...

then indeed Allah is ever, with what you do, Acquainted". Quran 4:135. * "O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do". Quran 5:8.

Judaism

* "You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor". — Leviticus 19:15, English Standard Version * "You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike". –

Deuteronomy Deuteronomy ( grc, Δευτερονόμιον, Deuteronómion, second law) is the fifth and last book of the Torah (in Judaism), where it is called (Hebrew: hbo, , Dəḇārīm, hewords Moses.html"_;"title="f_Moses">f_Moseslabel=none)_and_th ...

1:17, ESV * "These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment". – Book of Proverbs 24:23, KJV

References

External links

{{Wiktionary
Impartiality, from Stanford Online Encyclopedia of Philosophyopenbible.info
The Bible on impartiality
quranicteachings.org
The Quran on impartiality Legal ethics Criminal justice Virtue