New UK Foreign Office ‘Freedom of Belief for all’ strategy

Humanists UK has strongly welcomed the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) adopting a new ‘freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all’ strategy. Humanists UK contributed to the development of the strategy, which was launched at an event attended by its Chief Executive, and will now support FCDO in its implementation.

The launch event saw addresses by Human Rights Minister Lord Collins of Highbury and UK FoRB Envoy David Smith MP. Both spoke about the need to defend humanists at risk, the case of Mubarak Bala, and the work of Humanists International.

Human Rights Minister Lord Collins, who was a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Humanist Group before entering Government, said:

‘As you know, the right to freedom of religion or belief sits at the heart of our human rights approach and is central to the UK’s foreign policy. Because championing FoRB is about championing equal rights for all.

‘We know that where this freedom is under threat, other rights are often at risk too. And we know that violations disproportionately affect women and minorities.

‘So this is about standing up for people who face discrimination, harassment, or even violence, simply for what they do, or do not, believe.

‘…Earlier this year, I was relieved to hear of the release of Mubarak Bala, a Nigerian atheist and President of the Humanist Association of Nigeria. He had been imprisoned for sharing posts on Facebook which allegedly insulted the Prophet Muhammad. His release was the result of a long-running campaign by Humanists International, which the UK was pleased to support, along with many of you here today… These are powerful reminders that our collective efforts can have real impact. And we must also learn from the past to meet the challenges of the present.’

UK FoRB Envoy David Smith MP added:

‘Lord Collins has mentioned Mubarak Bala. Humanists International’s Freedom of Thought Report underlines the risks humanists and atheists face globally.

‘As their latest edition states, “blasphemy” laws exist in 89 countries across the globe. Seven countries have the death penalty for blasphemy, and a further 63 countries have prison sentences for related “offences”.

‘…And so, today, the UK makes a new commitment to the centrality of FoRB in our foreign policy.

‘Countries that respect FoRB and in which all constituent communities can flourish are more stable, more secure and more prosperous.

‘…Our overarching goal is a reduction in the number of countries in which the right to FoRB is significantly curtailed, and to promote internationally the right to FoRB as fundamental to human flourishing.’

Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson commented:

‘The UK’s new “FoRB for all” strategy is a hugely positive development and one that we strongly welcome. The UK Government is right that freedom of belief is a key right without which others also do not exist, and it deserves the prioritisation that the UK will give it.

‘As David Smith explained, humanists face extremely grave persecution in many countries. In some it is impossible to be openly non-religious, and the situation continues to worsen.

‘We are very pleased to have worked with FCDO on the development of the new strategy and more generally on its FoRB work for many years now. With this new approach in place, our partnership looks set to only get stronger.’