Tags: Blasphemy
Secularists at “serious” risk in Bangladesh, UK government says
Posted: Wed, 04 May 2022
Secularists and atheists in Bangladesh are at "serious" risk of persecution, new UK government guidance says. Read More »
Nigerian humanist sentenced to 24 years in prison for ‘blasphemy’
Posted: Wed, 06 Apr 2022
The National Secular Society has condemned a Nigerian court for sentencing a humanist activist to 24 years in prison for 'blasphemy'. Read More »
NSS calls for better free speech protection in NI hate crime reform
Posted: Tue, 22 Mar 2022
The National Secular Society has warned proposed reforms to Northern Ireland's hate crime laws could undermine free speech. Read More »
Saudi secularist blogger flogged for “insulting Islam” released
Posted: Mon, 14 Mar 2022
The NSS has welcomed the release of Saudi secularist blogger Raif Badawi, who was jailed and flogged for "insulting Islam". Read More »
Egypt proposes law banning journalists from discussing religion
Posted: Wed, 23 Feb 2022
Egypt may ban 'non-specialists' from discussing religion in the media after a journalist expressed doubts about the Quran. Read More »
NSS urges government to aid Ahmadi Muslim prosecuted for blasphemy
Posted: Thu, 10 Feb 2022
The NSS had urged the FCO to intervene in the case of an Ahmadi Muslim woman prosecuted for 'blasphemy' in Pakistan. Read More »
‘Islamophobia’ used to shut down debate, says government
Posted: Tue, 16 Nov 2021
The government has warned that the term 'Islamophobia' has been used to silence different viewpoints during a House of Lords debate. Read More »
Death sentence for apostasy in nearly a dozen countries, report says
Posted: Tue, 16 Nov 2021
Apostasy is punishable with death in nearly a dozen countries, according to a new report from Humanists International. Read More »
Campaigners call for release of Iranian blogger who ‘insulted Islam’
Posted: Tue, 26 Oct 2021
Over 200 organisations and individuals have called for the release of an Iranian blogger imprisoned for 'blasphemy'. Read More »
Nigerian Humanist leader charged over ‘blasphemous’ Facebook posts
Posted: Thu, 05 Aug 2021
Nigerian Humanist leader Mubarak Bala is facing formal charges over Facebook posts which allegedly contained 'blasphemous' content. Read More »
NSS urges release of Humanist leader after a year in detention
Posted: Wed, 28 Apr 2021
The NSS has urged authorities in Nigeria to release Mubarak Bala, who was arrested a year ago after being accused of insulting Muhammad. Read More »
NSS urges repeal of Northern Ireland blasphemy laws
Posted: Wed, 17 Mar 2021
The NSS has called on the Northern Ireland executive to repeal its "archaic" blasphemy laws. Read More »
Hate crime bill passes and blasphemy law abolished in Scotland
Posted: Thu, 11 Mar 2021
Scotland's hate crime bill, which will introduce 'stirring up hatred' offences and abolish the blasphemy law, has passed its final vote. Read More »
Man killed in court while on trial for blasphemy in Pakistan
Posted: Wed, 29 Jul 2020
A man has been shot dead in court while standing trial for blasphemy in Pakistan. Read More »
Nigerian Humanist leader ‘faces charges over insulting religion’
Posted: Wed, 17 Jun 2020
The UK government has said the president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria has been charged over claims he insulted religion. Read More »
Ministers take up case of Nigerian Humanist arrested for blasphemy
Posted: Fri, 05 Jun 2020
The government has said it's looking in to the case of the arrested Nigerian Humanist leader Mubarak Bala "on an urgent basis". Read More »
Fears for safety of Nigerian Humanist leader after blasphemy arrest
Posted: Wed, 29 Apr 2020
The president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria has been arrested for blasphemy for a second time, sparking fears for his safety. Read More »
NSS welcomes Scottish government proposal to abolish blasphemy law
Posted: Fri, 24 Apr 2020
The NSS has welcomed a proposal from the Scottish government which would abolish the country's blasphemy law. Read More »
Blasphemy laws exist in 69 countries, report finds
Posted: Wed, 13 Nov 2019
Sixty-nine countries have blasphemy laws and penalties have hardened in parts of the world in recent years, a report has found. Read More »
NSS urges government to review its language on blasphemy laws
Posted: Thu, 15 Aug 2019
The NSS has asked the government to review its stance on blasphemy laws amid concern that ministers only criticise their "misuse". Read More »
