The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), the global umbrella group for Humanist, atheist and secularist organisations worldwide, have launched a new website Freethoughtreport.com, which enables Humanist organisations and individuals around the world to share information on the persecution of the non-religious in their own countries. The first edition of the report, Freedom of Thought 2012 – A Global Report on Discrimination Against Humanists, Atheists and the Nonreligious, was published in December last year to mark Human Rights Day, and new editions of the report will be published annually. The British Humanist Association (BHA), which is a member organisation of IHEU, welcomes the launch of the new website.
The website provides resources for individuals who are being persecuted because of their religion or belief (such as how to complain to the United Nations). The site also has a facility for submitting new information on the persecution of the non-religious. The 2012 report highlighted limitations on the freedom of thought of the non-religious in over 60 countries, focusing on laws which discriminate against people because of their Humanist, atheist or other non-religious beliefs, and which hinder their freedom of expression. The report also describes the effect of these laws on specific individuals. The new website, and the contributions it will encourage, will enable the 2013 report to be even more comprehensive.
Pavan Dhaliwal, Head of Public Affairs at the BHA and Vice Chair of the European Humanist Federation, commented ‘The 2012 Freedom of Thought report was the first publication to systematically document the persecution faced by Humanists, atheists and other non-religious people around the world. Reporting essential because it helps to bring cases of discrimination and abuse to wider attention, and helps us to pressurise governments and international institutions to take action to stop this kind of persecution.
‘We encourage non-religious people around the world who have experienced persecution for their beliefs to use the facility on Freethoughtreport.com to add to the report. We would very much welcome information on countries which were not covered in the original report, as well as new information from those countries which were included.’
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For further comment or information contact BHA Head of Public Affairs on 0773 8435059 or at pavan@humanists.uk.
The Freedom of Thought Report website:
Freedom of Thought 2012 – A Global Report on Discrimination Against Humanists, Atheists and the Nonreligious:
http://www.iheu.org/files/IHEU%20Freedom%20of%20Thought%202012.pdf
The International Humanist and Ethical Union:
Previous BHA news article – New report shows global discrimination against humanists, atheists and the non-religious:
The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is the world umbrella group bringing together more than 100 Humanist, atheist, rationalist, secularist, and freethought organizations from 40 countries.
The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.