Humanists UK is saddened to learn of the death of Janric Craig, 3rd Viscount Craigavon, a long-standing member of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group (APPHG) and a patron of Humanists UK.
Born in 1944 into a prominent Ulster family – his grandfather was James Craig, the first Prime Minister of Northern Ireland – Janric Craig was educated at Eton College and the University of London, graduating with both a BA and a BSc. He worked as a chartered accountant before succeeding to his father’s title in 1974, entering the House of Lords as a crossbench peer. He was one of the hereditary peers elected to remain following the House of Lords Act 1999.
Lord Craigavon was a committed humanist, actively participating in parliamentary debates on issues aligned with humanist values. He was a vocal supporter of assisted dying for the terminally ill. In a 2014 debate concerning the Director of Public Prosecutions’ guidelines on assisted suicide, he stated, ‘for me, it is a continuing matter of shame that our fellow countrymen and women still have to go to Switzerland to avail themselves of what should be possible in this country’. He frequently highlighted the significant public support for law change in this area, noting figures showing over 80% favour some form of assisted dying, contrasting this with the lack of political will and opposition from religious figures in Parliament.
In a 2013 House of Lords debate celebrating the contribution of atheists and humanists to society, Lord Craigavon spoke of the APPHG’s history and its support from Humanists UK, praising its role, including work on legal recognition of humanist marriages. He reflected on the shift from ‘previous certainties to what I would call constructive uncertainties’, seeing the humanist movement as testament to this progress. He advocated for the questioning of religious beliefs and the challenging of religious discrimination, citing the Census data showing a rise of the non-religious. He concluded his speech expressing the hope that ‘the atheist and the humanist movements will continue to challenge constructively some of the foundations of the orthodoxies we have inherited’.
Beyond his parliamentary work, Lord Craigavon had an interest in moral education and served as an adviser and former trustee of the Progress Educational Trust.
Humanists UK Chief Executive Andrew Copson said:
‘We are all deeply saddened by the news that Janric Craig has died, a stalwart of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group and active member of Humanists UK. In recent years he was supportive of the campaign for assisted dying in particular and he showed his personal support for Paul Lamb and other assisted dying campaigners over the years. I know he would have relished his opportunity to debate the Assisted Dying Bill that’s moving through Parliament at the moment, and it’s a great sadness he didn’t get to see it passed before he died.’
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For further comment or information, media should contact Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator at boyd@humanists.uk or phone 07918 975795.
Humanists UK has over 200 patrons who support its work in various ways through their expertise and prominence in various fields. Existing patrons include significant figures from the spheres of science, philosophy, human rights activism, politics, the arts, and broadcasting. The President of Humanists UK is the geneticist, science writer, and broadcaster, Dr Adam Rutherford. He is supported by Vice Presidents Professor Alice Roberts, Shaparak Khorsandi, Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Professor AC Grayling, and Polly Toynbee.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 140,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.