Tags: Blasphemy
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 »
Protect free speech, NSS tells Scottish review of hate crime laws
Posted: Fri, 22 Feb 2019
The NSS has urged the Scottish government to protect free speech and abolish blasphemy laws as it considers proposals on hate crime. Read More »
Event to mark 30th anniversary of fatwa against Salman Rushdie
Posted: Fri, 08 Feb 2019
An event to commemorate the women who defended the right to publish The Satanic Verses is to be held in London next Thursday. Read More »
Pakistani court upholds blasphemy acquittal in death row case
Posted: Tue, 29 Jan 2019
Pakistan's top court has upheld its decision to acquit Asia Bibi, who spent eight years on death row on blasphemy charges. Read More »
Report highlights religious threat to global human rights
Posted: Mon, 10 Dec 2018
Blasphemy laws, supremacist ideologies, sectarianism, 'caste' systems and exclusionary laws are among the ways religion restricts human rights globally, according to a parliamentary group. Read More »
Pakistani court orders woman facing death for blasphemy to be freed
Posted: Wed, 31 Oct 2018
Pakistan's Supreme Court has ordered the freeing of Asia Bibi, who awaited a death sentence for blasphemy for eight years. Read More »
Ireland votes to remove blasphemy from constitution
Posted: Tue, 30 Oct 2018
The NSS has welcomed Irish voters' decision to repeal the blasphemy provisions in their country's constitution. Read More »
NSS writes to Foreign Office over blasphemy case in Pakistan
Posted: Fri, 12 Oct 2018
The NSS has urged the Foreign Office to do what it can to secure the release of a woman facing execution in Pakistan for blasphemy. Read More »
Campaign to repeal Ireland’s blasphemy law launched
Posted: Wed, 26 Sep 2018
The NSS has backed a campaign to repeal Ireland's blasphemy law which is being launched on Sunday, ahead of a referendum on the subject. Read More »
Ireland set to hold blasphemy referendum on 26 October
Posted: Wed, 19 Sep 2018
The NSS has said Ireland's impending referendum on its blasphemy law should prompt "global action in defence of free speech on religion". Read More »
NSS condemns Spain’s blasphemy laws after actor detained
Posted: Thu, 13 Sep 2018
The NSS has called for Spain to abolish its blasphemy laws following the detainment of an actor accused of offending religious sentiment. Read More »
