In a move that has enraged human rights advocates, the Australian government has given religious groups wide-scale opt-outs in proposed new anti-discrimination laws.

Secular groups around Europe are preparing to oppose the nomination of the Maltese Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg to replace the recently resigned European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection.

The European Court of Human Rights hearing on 4 September 2012 has heard accusations from applicants that the UK Government is not upholding freedom of belief.

The court decision in Germany that held that circumcision, carried out for religious — as opposed to medical — reasons, is potentially harmful has been fiercely opposed by religious interests, putting pressure on Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Human Rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has been named Secularist of the Year. The award was presented by the National Secular Society at a formal lunch on Saturday in central London.