NSS calls for blasphemy laws to be repealed in new NI legislation

The National Secular Society has called on the Northern Irish Minister of Justice to repeal blasphemy laws as part of new legislation.

Responding to a public consultation on an upcoming Justice Bill, the NSS said the repeal of the common law offences of 'blasphemy' and 'blasphemous libel' should be included.

Northern Ireland is the only UK nation that still has blasphemy laws. They were abolished in England and Wales in 2008, and in Scotland in 2021. The Republic of Ireland abolished its blasphemy laws in 2020.

The NSS has campaigned to protect freedom of expression since its inception in 1866. Last year, it called on NI Minister of Justice Naomi Long to consult on ending blasphemy laws.

Blasphemy laws "invoked to silence criticism or ridicule of religion"

In 2014, Newtownabbey Borough Council in NI banned a play about the Bible on the grounds that it was "blasphemous".

The NSS said as long as blasphemy laws remain on the books, "there is always the risk that they may be invoked to silence criticism or ridicule of religion" within Northern Ireland.

The NSS submission noted a 2024 report from the UN Secretary-General which concluded: "Any national restrictions to freedom of expression must be formulated with the sole purpose and outcome of protecting individuals, rather than to shield religious doctrine from critical review."

It also pointed to a recommendation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, which states: "the Assembly considers that blasphemy, as an insult to a religion, should not be deemed a criminal offence."

The NSS said blasphemy laws are incompatible with Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – both of which enshrine the right to freedom of expression.

It added that if blasphemy laws are to be repealed, any potential new offences relating to the stirring up of hatred must be accompanied by "robust and explicit protection of freedom of expression clauses", as they are in England, Wales and Scotland.

The presence of blasphemy laws in Northern Ireland "undermines efforts to repeal blasphemy laws worldwide", the NSS said. Blasphemy laws are used internationally to persecute religious minorities, the non-religious, those who leave or change their religion, or simply those who speak their mind.

The Humanists International 2024 Freedom of Thought Report found blasphemy or apostasy is punishable by death in ten countries.

NSS: Repeal would show NI is committed to free speech, tolerance and democracy

National Secular Society human rights lead Alejandro Sanchez said: "Abolishing blasphemy laws would show Northern Ireland is committed to the values of free speech, tolerance, democracy and freedom of conscience.

"It would also send a message to other countries that employ blasphemy laws that such laws are unacceptable in the 21st century, and so help to end global persecution in the name of religion."