The Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) asked the Government to know to know ‘when and how [it] proposes to address the continuing lack of legal recognition for humanist wedding ceremonies in England and Wales, bearing in mind the Administrative Court’s judgment in the Harrison case in 2020.’ In a letter to Justice Minister Lord Ponsonby, Committee Chair Lord Alton has asked the Government about a right already granted to humanist couples in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and the Channel Islands.
The Marriage Act 2013 granted the government the power to recognise humanist marriages, yet successive administrations have failed to implement the necessary legislation. This issue has been raised repeatedly in recent months in Parliament. In response, Lord Ponsonby has previously said that the Government would be ‘carefully considering the Law Commission’s report and have a duty to take the time to consider these important issues. We will set out our position on weddings reform in the coming months’.
In the final report of its review of weddings law in England and Wales in 2022, the Commission set out plans for general reform of marriage law. These plans, if accepted, would take years more to implement. Humanists UK has called on the Government to take action on humanist marriages immediately.
Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson commented
‘We welcome the Joint Committee on Human Rights’ action on legal recognition of humanist marriages. We – and a majority of the public – have long argued that non-religious people deserve equal treatment under the law.
‘For over twelve years, governments have stalled on this issue despite overwhelming public and political support, and this remains a clear and continuing injustice. It is time for the Government to act and make sure that humanist couples can marry in line with their beliefs.’
Notes
For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959.
Read more about our work on legal recognition of humanist marriages.
Humanist weddings are non-religious wedding ceremonies that are fully customised to match the deepest-held values and beliefs of the couple getting married. They are conducted by a humanist celebrant, someone guaranteed to share their beliefs. In consultation with the couple the celebrant produces a completely bespoke script. The ceremony also occurs in whatever location is most meaningful for the couple. Humanists UK has more than 300 trained and accredited wedding celebrants.
Humanist marriages gained legal recognition in Scotland in 2005 and in 2019 there were more humanist than Christian marriages for the first time (23% of the total). In the Republic of Ireland, humanist marriages gained legal recognition in 2012. In 2019 around 9% of legally recognised marriages were humanist. That places the Humanist Association of Ireland only behind the Catholic Church and civil marriages. They gained legal recognition in Northern Ireland in 2018, following a Court of Appeal ruling that concluded that a failure to do so would be a breach of human rights. Jersey also gave legal recognition to humanist marriages in 2019 and in 2021 Guernsey followed suit.
In 2020, six humanist couples took a legal case to the High Court. They argued that they were discriminated against by the fact that religious marriages are legally recognised but humanist marriages are not. The judge in the case agreed, ruling that ‘the present law gives rise to… discrimination’. She also ruled that, in light of that, the Secretary of State for Justice ‘cannot… simply sit on his hands’ and do nothing.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 130,000 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.