News

UK parliament Big Ben

Treat religion equally during pandemic, NSS urges human rights body

The National Secular Society has said it is justifiable to restrict communal religious activities during the Covid-19... Read More »

Law Commission building

Law Commission proposals risk chilling free speech, NSS warns

The National Secular Society has warned that Law Commission proposals on hate crime and communications offences in... Read More »

Zara Kay

Drop charges against ex-Muslim campaigner in Tanzania, says NSS

The National Secular Society has backed a campaign to secure the rights of an ex-Muslim campaigner who has been arrested... Read More »

Fiona Bruce MP

NSS urges even-handed approach to freedom of religion or belief

The National Secular Society has urged the UK's new envoy on freedom of religion or belief, Fiona Bruce, to take an... Read More »

Maira Shahbaz

NSS raises case of girl subjected to forced marriage in Pakistan

The National Secular Society has backed a campaign to secure the freedom and safety of a 14-year-old girl in fear... Read More »

Sheep non-stun slaughter animal welfare

States may restrict non-stun slaughter on welfare grounds, ECJ rules

The EU's highest court, the European Court of Justice, has ruled that states subject to its jurisdiction may ban non-stun... Read More »

Humza Yousaf during hate crime bill debate

MSPs back ‘general principles’ of Scottish hate crime bill

Members of the Scottish parliament have voted in favour of the 'general principles' of Scotland's current hate crime... Read More »

Baitul Futuh Mosque Ahmadi south London

NSS urges government to explain erasure of Ahmadis in faith review

The National Secular Society has urged the government to explain why it has "accommodated" hatred of Ahmadi Muslims,... Read More »

Freedom of Thought Report 2020

Pandemic harming freedom from religion in many countries, says report

The Covid-19 pandemic has undermined the rights of people who reject religious norms in many countries, according... Read More »

Scottish parliament

Amend hate crime bill to protect free speech, Scottish government told

A group of MSPs has said Scotland's current hate crime bill should be amended to better protect freedom of expression,... Read More »

Children in class

Religious pressure resisted as Welsh RE reform plans progress

A major curriculum reform bill which would replace religious education with a more pluralistic alternative in Wales... Read More »

Understanding Christianity and the study of religion and worldviews

C of E’s control of RE damages subject’s credibility, says study

The Church of England's theological approach to religious education has come to dominate the subject amid a lack of... Read More »

Religion in class

Most Brits don’t consider religious studies important, poll finds

A majority of adults in Britain don't consider it important to teach religious studies at secondary school, according... Read More »

Crowd of people

NSS: government should revisit review of engagement with faith groups

The National Secular Society has warned that a government review over its engagement with faith organisations in England... Read More »

Local anger over discriminatory new Catholic school in Peterborough

Local anger over discriminatory new Catholic school in Peterborough

Residents of a housing development in Peterborough have expressed dismay at the implications of plans to open a discriminatory,... Read More »

Humza Yousaf

Success: free speech clause in hate crime bill to be strengthened

The National Secular Society has welcomed a decision from Scotland's justice secretary to strengthen a clause on free... Read More »

Faith schools sign

Temporary changes should prompt fairer school admissions, says NSS

The National Secular Society has said temporary changes to many faith schools' admissions policies should prompt lasting... Read More »

Classroom

Don’t let schools push creationism as science, NSS tells government

The National Secular Society has raised the alarm over a school which claims to teach creationism as science as it... Read More »

Geoffrey Robertson

Geoffrey Robertson calls for CoE’s disestablishment in NSS lecture

Leading human rights barrister Geoffrey Robertson has called for the disestablishment of the Church of England in... Read More »

Nasibe Semsai

NSS urges Foreign Office to take up case of anti-veiling protester

The National Secular Society has urged the Foreign Office to take up the case of an Iranian women's rights activist... Read More »

Evidence to Scottish parliament justice committee

NSS gives evidence to parliamentary committee over hate crime bill

The National Secular Society has said a planned hate crime bill will "intimidate" free speech in evidence to the Scottish... Read More »

Vincent Nichols

Catholic Church put its reputation first on child abuse, inquiry finds

The Catholic Church put its reputation before the interests of child abuse survivors, with senior leaders complicit... Read More »

Morning after pill

Ensure women can access emergency contraception, pharmacy told

Britain's pharmacy regulator has told Lloyds Pharmacy to take action to ensure women can access emergency contraception... Read More »

Children's hands

Religion shouldn’t undermine children’s rights in UK, NSS tells UN

The National Secular Society has urged the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) to ensure children's rights... Read More »

Classroom

Out-of-school settings code to be voluntary, government confirms

The National Secular Society has warned of an ongoing risk to children's rights after the government confirmed that... Read More »

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