Humanists UK tells Afghanistan to end death penalty for blasphemy

In an intervention at the UN Human Rights Council, Humanists UK has called upon the Afghan Government to repeal the death penalty for blasphemy and apostasy, and to protect the fundamental rights and freedoms of the non-religious as well as those from religious minorities.

The intervention was made via video during the debate on the Universal Periodic Review of Afghanistan’s human rights record, Humanists UK’s Campaigns Manager Kathy Riddick stated:

‘Since before the Taliban takeover, blasphemy and apostasy have been punishable by death. Those accused of these so-called crimes are given three days to recant or face death. This runs counter to this Council’s resolution 36/17 which urges all states that have not yet abolished the death penalty to make sure it is not imposed for specific forms of conduct, including apostasy.

‘Therefore, while we are aware Afghanistan’s acceptance of recommendations to re-establish a moratorium on the death penalty, we are extremely concerned by the absence of any commitment to abolish the death penalty, or to commute existing sentences of capital punishment.

‘Humanists International has received an unprecedented number of requests from non-religious Afghans seeking to flee for their safety since the Taliban takeover in 2021, accounting for nearly a third of all requests for assistance they have received globally in this time. Non-religious Afghans are not only subjected to raids and summary executions by the Taliban, they also report receiving threats from friends and family. Even many of those who broadly adhere to democratic values consider defending the right to criticise or abandon Islam a taboo.’