Representatives from European Humanist organisations have condemned blasphemy laws in Europe and the rise of homophobia in Russia. The European Humanist Federation (EHF), which is the umbrella organisation for Humanist groups in Europe, together with the Belgian secularist group Centre d’Action Laïque (CAL), raised these issues at the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Human Dimension Implementation meeting in Warsaw on 26 September. The British Humanist Association (BHA), which is a member of the EHF, welcomes their statements.
The first statement, read out by Benoît Feyt of CAL, called for the removal of blasphemy and religious insult laws in OSCE member states. Benoît Feyt noted that ‘so called “blasphemy” or “religious insult” is still considered as an offence in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Spain, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Russia and Turkey’. He said that ‘freedom of expression is protected by all major international human rights instruments’, and that ‘the Belgian Centre d’Action Laïque and the European Humanist Federation ask the OSCE to urge its member states to remove blasphemy crime from their domestic laws.’
The second statement, from the EHF’s Hans Christian Cars, concerned the disturbing rise of homophobia in Russia. He noted that ‘the situation for LGBT persons is becoming more and more critical in Russia, partly due to the growing influence of the Orthodox Church.’ He made three main points: firstly, he called on President Putin to end his embrace (political and otherwise) of Russian Orthodox Church leader Patriarch Kirill; secondly, he demanded that the two members of punk rock band Pussy Riot who were charged with blasphemy should be released, as well compensated for the injustice they have suffered; and finally, he called on President Putin to abolish the new law which forbids gay people from showing their love for same-sex partners in the presence of young people.
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For further comment or information contact Pavan Dhaliwal, Head of Public Affairs at pavan@humanists.uk or on 0773 843 5059.
The European Humanist Federation: http://humanistfederation.eu/
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.