In a new report published today, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief (APPG for FoRB) has condemned rising intolerance on the basis of religion and belief globally, and the need to do more to protect freedom of religion or belief. The report, which is being published two days before International Freedom of Religion or Belief Day, also calls for the repeal of blasphemy laws around the world. Humanists UK is a stakeholder of the APPG and contributed to the report, and has today welcomed its publication.
The report highlights in particular that:
The issue of blasphemy and laws treating blasphemy as a criminal offence have seen a resurgence in recent years. In UN Resolution 16/18, it was internationally agreed that only individuals’ religious sensibilities, not religions themselves, can be offended, making punishment for blasphemy used in such a way a violation of international human rights law. Despite this, blasphemy laws in Indonesia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Mauritania, Nigeria and other nations are in place and continue to be used against those with different beliefs. Legislation strengthening and expanding constitutional restrictions on blasphemy was passed in the Nepalese Parliament in August 2017 and at the time of writing is waiting for Presidential approval. In June 2017, Taimoor Raza, a Pakistani Shi’a Muslim, was handed a death sentence for allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammed on social media and in September 2017, a Pakistani Christian man, Nadeem James, was handed the death sentence after being charged by a close friend with blasphemy after sharing social media content with him. In May 2017, the Christian Governor of Jakarta in Indonesia, Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (known as Ahok), was sentenced to two years imprisonment for his contestation that Muslims could vote for non-Muslims made during his election campaign.
Tomorrow also sees a debate on freedom of religion or belief taking place in the House of Commons, with International Freedom of Religion or Belief Day falling on Friday.
Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of Humanists UK and President of the International Humanist and Ethical Union, commented: ‘2017 has been a disastrous year for freedom of religion and belief around much of the globe. With ongoing conflicts in Syria and Iraq, attacks on the Rohingya in Myanmar, and active use of blasphemy sentences in Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, and elsewhere, urgent action is needed to ensure people’s human rights are upheld.
‘This report, with its careful documentation of the state of human rights and clear recommendations as to how the Foreign and Commonwealth Office can work better to ensure freedom of religion and belief, is a welcome contribution at a time that such action is sadly needed more than ever.’
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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.
Read the report: https://appgfreedomofreligionorbelief.org/article-18-rhetoric-reality-new-appg-report/
Humanists UK is a stakeholder of the APPG for FoRB: https://appgfreedomofreligionorbelief.org/
Read more about Humanists UK’s international campaigns work: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/international-campaigns/
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/