Government promises ‘no return’ of blasphemy law

Humanists UK has received reassurances from the UK Government that it has no plans to reintroduce laws criminalising blasphemy or otherwise restricting freedom of expression around religion.

This follows on from a question at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) that urged the Prime Minister to introduce a new blasphemy law in the mould of one suggested by Pakistan at a UN forum, which sets out to ban defamation, disparagement, or ‘desecration’ of religion or religious symbols.

In September 2024, the Government promised to ‘never inhibit freedom of expression’ around religions, many months after the UN resolution. Number 10 has now confirmed to Humanists UK that this remains government policy and there is zero chance of the Government introducing any blasphemy laws or any other laws restricting freedom of expression.

Humanists UK has welcomed these reassurances.

Blasphemy laws in the United Kingdom: a brief history

Blasphemy laws were abolished in England and Wales by the last Labour government’s Criminal Justice Act back in 2008, following amendments drafted by Humanists UK patrons Dr Evan Harris and Lord Avebury.

The Scottish blasphemy law was abolished by MSPs in 2021, taking effect earlier this year, following a campaign spearheaded by Humanist Society Scotland. Northern Ireland Humanists is campaigning for the abolition of blasphemy laws in Northern Ireland.

Blasphemy laws run contrary to human rights, encourage inter-community grievances, and are correlated with religious violence around the world. Instead, as the UN Secretary-General reiterated just last month, human rights-abiding states are encouraged to protect people from direct harassment and abuse, while leaving ideas – even sacred ones – fair game for public challenge, critique, and even mockery.

How the UK can protect free speech in future

Following on from the question at PMQs, Humanists UK hopes the Government will take up the recommendations from 2024’s Khan Review and Walney Review of community cohesion and political violence respectively, which recommended action to curb and delegitimise ‘freedom-restricting harassment’ (mobs seeking reprisals for ‘blasphemy’) and greater legal protections for teachers when blasphemy accusations arise in school contexts (following on from the murder of Samuel Paty in France, death threats made against an innocent teacher in Batley, and the incident in Wakefield where authorities inflamed community tensions by mishandling and legitimising accusations of ‘blasphemy’.)

Humanists UK also called on the Advertising Standards Authority to remove blasphemy law-like regulations which lead to ‘inconsistent and arbitrary’ rulings on the grounds of religious offence.

Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson said:

‘We are pleased the Government has again reaffirmed its commitment to freedom of expression. Blasphemy laws should remain in the history books, not on our statute books. However, there is much more work to be done to strengthen freedom of expression, including de facto blasphemy laws in public advertising and other areas of life.’

Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator commented:

‘It was heartening last week to see all voices throughout the media and MPs from across the political divide come together to say that blasphemy laws are always unacceptable. 

‘Sadly, however, a blasphemy law remains on the books in Northern Ireland – making us the only part of the UK or Ireland to still have them. We urge members of the Northern Ireland Assembly and our devolved government to revive plans to abolish these laws here too, once and for all.’