Take action! Send an email asking your parliamentary candidate where they stand on our seven election priorities:
Where do parties in Northern Ireland stand on humanist issues? Ahead of the general election on Thursday 8 June, Northern Ireland Humanists has published a table giving an overview of where eight Northern Irish parties stand on issues affecting its members and supporters.
Northern Ireland Humanists has also set out seven key priorities for a fairer secular state with equal treatment in law for all citizens regardless of religion or belief, which it is encouraging members and supporters to raise with their parliamentary candidates for the upcoming general election.
Northern Ireland Humanists is calling upon people to ask their parliamentary candidates:
- Will you support fully inclusive admissions in schools, free from discrimination on the basis of religion?
- Will you support ending compulsory daily worship in schools?
- Will you support legal recognition of humanist marriages, as is the case in Scotland?
- Will support keeping the Human Rights Act and remaining part of the European Convention on Human Rights?
- Will you support the right to die for people who are terminally ill or incurably suffering?
- Will you support the decriminalisation of abortion throughout the UK?
- Will you support ending reserved seats for Church of England bishops in the House of Lords?
Northern Ireland Humanists has prepared a briefing individuals can use when asking questions of candidates in writing, on the doorstep or at hustings.
Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator commented, ‘Democratic participation is a vital part of ensuring that our society is representative, accountable and compassionate to all beliefs and worldviews, including non-religious beliefs. We hope that humanists in Northern Ireland and across the UK will take the opportunity presented by the general election to share matters of concern with their parliamentary candidates.’
Notes
For further comment or information, please contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson on richy@humanists.uk or 020 3675 0959, or Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator on boyd.sleator@nihumanists.org or on 07470 395090.
Follow Read more about our 2017 general election priorities here: https://humanists.uk/GE2017
Send an email asking your parliamentary candidate where they stand on our seven election priorities: https://humanists.uk/GE2017/
Download our policy table for Northern Ireland parties: https://humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/FINAL-2017-NI-policytableforGE17.pdf
At Humanists UK, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. Our work brings non-religious people together to develop their own views, helping people be happier and more fulfilled in the one life we have. Through our ceremonies, education services, and community and campaigning work, we strive to create a fair and equal society for all.
Humanists UK recently changed its name from the British Humanist Association: https://humanists.uk/2017/05/22/bha-becomes-humanists-uk/
Northern Ireland Humanists is a part of Humanists UK, working with the Humanist Association of Ireland.