At its 57th session, the UN Human Rights Council marked the 30th anniversary of the International Year of the Family as an opportunity to consider the role of family in supporting the human rights of its members. In an intervention delivered in a general debate, Humanists UK drew attention to the council’s resolution 54/17 that reaffirmed state responsibility to protect and fulfil the human rights of all family members, including protection from violence or abuse from within the family.
The intervention was delivered via video by Humanists UK’s Faith to Faithless Policy Officer Yehudis Fletcher. She said:
‘Humanists UK’s Faith to Faithless programme exists because we see what happens to those who need state protection from their families in order to preserve their rights. Faith to Faithless supports those who leave high-control religious groups – often referred to as ‘apostates’. We raise awareness of the issues they face: apostates are often rejected by family and community, and may lose their homes, employment, or even custody of their own children, resulting in exceptional isolation, and vulnerability.
‘An American study shows that leaving groups that are theologically and culturally exclusive – such as the Latter-day Saints and Jehovah’s Witnesses – is associated with poor health outcomes. A Finnish study found that apostates are likely to experience fear, guilt, sorrow, pain, loss, and suffering on an existential level, often with serious implications for an individual’s well-being and health. An Israeli study showed that many of those who leave their Charedi Jewish communities experience poverty; the loss of community and familial financial support is compounded by a lack of access to secular education during childhood.’
She reminded states that the right to freedom of religion or belief protects the right to change religion or belief, as well as to hold non-religious beliefs, and urged states to protect these rights of those leaving, or trying to leave high control religious groups, when considering the role of the family.
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 the full intervention.
Watch the full intervention.
Read more about Faith to Faithless.
Read more about our international work.
Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 120,000 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.
Faith to Faithless has been a programme at Humanists UK dedicated to providing specialist support to apostates since 2016. Beyond the helpline and its year-round provision of peer support from trained volunteers, the service offers awareness training to public services, including NHS divisions and police forces.
Faith to Faithless operates under a stringent safeguarding policy, prioritising the safety and wellbeing of all those reaching out for support.