MP calls for review of government stance on blasphemy laws

An MP has questioned the government's terminology in relation to blasphemy laws during a parliamentary debate.

Speaking at a debate on blasphemy laws in Commonwealth nations, Fabian Hamilton (pictured) asked the Minister for Development to review the government's position on the term "misuse" of blasphemy laws.

The National Secular Society briefed MPs ahead of the debate, expressing concerns that the idea of a 'misuse' of blasphemy laws implies the existence of a legitimate usage – a notion they called upon MPs to reject.

Other MPs were also supportive of an "eventual abandonment" of blasphemy legislation, questioning why blasphemy laws are required in nations where they are no longer enforced. Members also discussed the cases of individuals across the Commonwealth who have faced violence and persecution following accusations of blasphemy being levelled against them.

One such case was that of Mubarak Bala, the president of the Nigerian Humanist Association, who was jailed for 24 years in connection to social media posts deemed to be 'blasphemous'.

The oppression and extra-judicial violence faced by minority groups such as the Ahmadi Muslim and Christian communities in Pakistan was also raised by members, who called upon the UK to "play its part" in offering asylum to those affected by blasphemy accusations.

But Jim Shannon said blasphemy laws were not "in and of themselves an issue".

He said a "blanket repeal" of such laws would remove "certain protections" and offered what he termed a "solution" to blasphemy related persecution based upon legitimising convictions in cases where an "intention to cause insult" can be established.

Following the debate, the NSS wrote to Minister of State Vicky Ford calling for rhetoric concerning the 'misuse' of blasphemy laws to be abandoned.

It said a fundamental incompatibility exists between such laws and a "genuine commitment to human rights".

The letter also called for the repeal of blasphemy laws in Northern Ireland, the only part of the United Kingdom where they remain on the books, highlighting how the continued existence of such laws can be cited by repressive regimes as justification for retaining their blasphemy laws.

The NSS urged the government to work together with international partners "towards the abolition of blasphemy laws wherever they exist."

NSS: Blasphemy laws "wrong in principle"

Jack Rivington, campaigns officer at the NSS, said: "Although we applaud MPs for highlighting the ongoing plight of those persecuted through blasphemy accusations, it is incredibly disappointing that none took the opportunity to criticise blasphemy laws for being wrong in principle more clearly, or to more strongly call for a total repeal of such laws.

"Blasphemy laws are incompatible with fundamental human rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief. Rhetoric from government and parliamentarians should reflect this fact and not lend legitimacy to the concept of blasphemy laws by employing terms such as 'misuse', or by offering proposals for how such laws might be properly administered."