Tags: Equality & Human Rights
IHEU defends freedom of thought for all at the UN
Posted: Wed, 12 Mar 2014
The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) has spoken out at the Human Rights Council (HRC) to defend freedom of thought for all – including the non-religious. Read More »
Christian sacked from nursery did not suffer religious discrimination, appeals tribunal rules
Posted: Wed, 12 Mar 2014
An Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) has dismissed an appeal from a woman who claimed she had been fired from her job in a nursery because of her religious beliefs. Read More »
Catholic adoption agency ruling ‘kicks a hole through Equality Act’, warns NSS
Posted: Mon, 03 Feb 2014
The NSS has warned that a decision by the Scottish Charities Appeal Panel about a Catholic adoption agency that discriminates against gay couples "kicks a hole right through the middle of the Equality Act". Read More »
Campaigners hope UN will help end university gender segregation
Posted: Wed, 15 Jan 2014
The United Nations rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Farida Shaeed, has been approached by students and women's groups to investigate the issue of gender segregation at British Universities. Read More »
Council of Europe under pressure to reconsider its resolution condemning male circumcision
Posted: Wed, 18 Dec 2013
According to a report in the Times of Israel, the Council of Europe is to revisit last October's resolution which stated that the ritual circumcision of young boys violates their basic human rights. Read More »
Universities UK withdraws its guidance on gender segregation
Posted: Fri, 13 Dec 2013
Universities UK (UUK) has withdrawn its controversial guidance that gender segregation could be permitted at UK universities. Read More »
NSS welcomes appeal court ruling against Christian who refused to work on Sundays
Posted: Thu, 05 Dec 2013
A Christian woman who claimed she had been constructively dismissed from her job as a care worker because she refused to work on Sundays has lost her case at the Court of Appeal. Read More »
Universities can segregate women and men for debates, says university guidance
Posted: Tue, 26 Nov 2013
A report just published by vice-chancellors' group Universities UK, has advised that segregation by gender in talks from external speakers is fine. Read More »
Croatia: MEPs regret Church-led referendum on marriage
Posted: Mon, 18 Nov 2013
On 1 December, Croatian citizens will be called to vote on whether to alter the constitution to define marriage as 'matrimony between a man and a woman'. Read More »
UN marks “Malala Day”
Posted: Fri, 12 Jul 2013
Malala Yousafzai, the inspirational and courageous schoolgirl from Pakistan who was shot by the Taliban in October for campaigning in support of female education, has addressed the United Nations in New York. Read More »
Catholic midwives face further legal challenge to “conscience” exemption
Posted: Mon, 17 Jun 2013
Two Catholic midwives who, in April, won a legal case at Scotland's supreme civil court for the right to conscientious exemption from all involvement in abortion procedures, now face a further legal challenge. Read More »
NSS welcomes European Court decision to refuse appeal to Christian activists
Posted: Tue, 28 May 2013
The National Secular Society has welcomed a decision by the European Court of Human Rights not to refer the cases of three British Christians to the Grand Chamber. Read More »
Tribunal claims of religious discrimination test equality laws
Posted: Thu, 23 May 2013
A man described as "white British" has won more than £2,000 compensation from a halal meat firm after he complained of racial and religious discrimination. Read More »
Attempts to protect women’s rights in Afghanistan have been blocked by clerics in the parliament
Posted: Tue, 21 May 2013
Khalil Ahmad Shaheedzada, a conservative lawmaker for the Herat province, said parliament withdrew the legislation because of opposition from religious parties that considered the law un-Islamic. Read More »
Human Rights First report says blasphemy law threatens Tunisia’s fledgling democracy
Posted: Thu, 09 May 2013
The American organisation Human Rights First has issued a new report that details steps the United States and Tunisian governments should take to protect freedom of expression to support Tunisia's peaceful transition to democracy. Read More »
Fitnah! Movement for women’s liberation founded
Posted: Thu, 25 Apr 2013
A new women's liberation group called Fitnah! has been created as a protest movement demanding freedom, equality, and secularism. Read More »
Catholic midwives succeed in attempt to extend “conscience” exemption
Posted: Wed, 24 Apr 2013
Two Catholic midwives have won a legal battle for the right to conscientious exemption from all involvement with abortions. Mary Doogan and Concepta Wood argued that being required to supervise staff taking part in abortions violated their human rights. Read More »
NSS condemns Government's callous disregard for UK victims of caste discrimination
Posted: Tue, 16 Apr 2013
The National Secular Society has criticised the Government's "callous" disregard for victims of caste discrimination in the UK after MPs rejected a Lords amendment to make discrimination on grounds of caste unlawful. Read More »
Take action! Call on your MP to outlaw caste discrimination – Vote on 16 April
Posted: Fri, 12 Apr 2013
Take Action! urge your MP to ensure that proper legal protection is provided for victims of caste discrimination in Great Britain by voting in favour of Lords Amendment 37 on Tuesday 16 April. Read More »
Take action! Call on your MP to outlaw caste discrimination
Posted: Thu, 28 Mar 2013
The National Secular Society is calling on supporters to urge their MP to back legislation aimed at protecting victims of caste-based discrimination in the UK. Read More »
