The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for International Development, the Rt. Hon Lynne Featherstone MP, has welcomed delegates to the World Humanist Congress on behalf of the UK government.
Ms Featherstone, the Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green who previously served as an Equalities minister, strongly emphasised the British Government’s commitment to freedom of belief, which is a key theme of the Congress. She couched it as a fundamental human right which British organisations and representatives are working hard to guarantee in those parts of the world where it is tragically threatened. Ms Featherstone emphasised the Government’s commitment to free expression by avowing that ‘every person, whatever their background or circumstances, deserves the right to live the life they wish, without fear, intimidation or violence.’
Many of the 1,000 delegates attending this weekend’s Congress in Oxford benefited from generous grants from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, with the Government helping to cover the travel expenses of individuals from countries as far away as Australia, Zimbawbwe and Iran.
Notes
For further comment or information, contact Andy Wasley at andy.wasley@humanists.uk or Pavan Dhaliwal at pavan@humanists.uk or on 0773 843 5059.
Visit the World Humanist Congress site: whc2014.org.uk
Full text of Lynne Featherstone’s speech:
‘I want to welcome the World Humanist Congress to Britain, particularly everyone who has travelled from overseas to be here today, and I am also pleased our government has been able to help those delegates who have travelled from Africa and Asia.
‘Britain’s commitment to the liberal values of freedom of speech and free expression are an indelible part of who we are as a country as an open, modern and tolerant society.
‘Britain has a long tradition of Humanism. Great Liberal philosophers like John Stuart Mill and Bertrand Russell, great novelists like George Eliot and Doris Lessing, great social activists like Robert Owen and Annie Besant. And humanists from across Britain today take pride in the congress taking place in their country for the first time in thirty years.
‘Over the next few days, I know you’re looking forward to hearing from inspirational speakers and world renowned experts on the issue of global human rights, and humanists or not – we should all stand up in support of those who are still struggling to secure their basic rights and freedoms in their own countries.
‘Every person, whatever their background or circumstances, deserves the right to live the life they wish, without fear, intimidation or violence. Together, we can help to make that a reality for more people: respecting each other for who we are, regardless of our differences, to build a better world.‘
• The BHA’s Twitter: twitter.com/BHAhumanists
• The BHA’s Facebook: facebook.com/humanism
• World Humanist Congress Twitter: twitter.com/humanism2014
• World Humanist Congress Facebook: facebook.com/worldhumanistcongress
• The BHA’s Tumblr account: britishhumanistassociation.tumblr.com
• World Humanist Congress blog: whc2014.org.uk/news
Read the 2013 Freedom of Thought Report: freethoughtreport.com
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.