Humanists UK has raised concerns at the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council about the challenges faced by the non-religious in having their funeral wishes respected. The intervention was delivered in response to the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief’s report on honouring the dead.
Humanists UK welcomed the report’s inclusivity of non-religious experiences of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) when honouring the dead, and its recognition that tensions can arise when the beliefs of the deceased differ from those of their family or community. Humanists UK also drew attention to the report’s observation that in countries where being non-religious is met with stigma and hostility, a person’s non-religious identity may not even be publicly known during their lifetime, placing particular challenges on their families when trying to honour their funeral wishes.
In the intervention, delivered in person by Humanists UK Policy and Campaigns Manager Laura Newlyn, she stated:
‘Apostasy is illegal in at least fifteen countries, and punishable by death in eleven of those, contrary to the right to leave or to change one’s religion or belief, as identified in your report. It is therefore not only social stigma, community pressure, or interference from non-state actors that perpetuates this hostility, but the state itself.
‘We would like to ask the Special Rapporteur: where identifying as non-religious or as belonging to a minority belief community may expose families to social or legal repercussions, what measures can help make sure that funeral rights remain practically accessible? How might States best implement the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations around meaningful consultation and the duty to accommodate diverse communities in ways that do not require people to come forward at personal cost?’
The UN Special Rapporteur thanked Humanists UK for its contribution in her concluding remarks.
The intervention took place during Humanists UK’s first in-person attendance at the Human Rights Council since before the coronavirus lockdowns.
Notes
For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Head of Press and Campaign Communications Nathan Stilwell at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959 (media only).
Read the full intervention.
Read the Special Rapporteur’s report on How freedom of religion or belief relates to death and honouring the deceased.
Read more about our international work.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 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.