Tags: Equality & Human Rights
NSS welcomes vote to outlaw caste discrimination
Posted: Tue, 05 Mar 2013
The National Secular Society has welcomed a vote by Peers in the House of Lords in favour of an amendment to bring caste discrimination within the scope of equality legislation. Read More »
NSS objects to new workplace guidelines on religious discrimination
Posted: Thu, 28 Feb 2013
The National Secular Society has objected to new workplace guidelines issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission following the outcome of the recent European Court cases. Read More »
NSS meet with Scottish Minister to discuss St Margaret's adoption charity case
Posted: Fri, 22 Feb 2013
The NSS has met with Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Mike Russell MSP, to discuss the Scottish-based adoption agency that excludes same-sex couples from consideration as prospective parents. Read More »
Religious opt-outs make Australia’s anti-discrimination law a “bigot’s charter”
Posted: Thu, 17 Jan 2013
In a move that has enraged human rights advocates, the Australian government has given religious groups wide-scale opt-outs in proposed new anti-discrimination laws. Read More »
European Commission to investigate complaints concerning employment discrimination in ‘faith’ schools
Posted: Thu, 17 Jan 2013
The European Commission is to investigate complaints submitted by the National Secular Society concerning whether UK legislation relating to state funded 'faith' schools breaches European employment laws in relation to discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief. Read More »
NSS welcomes European Court of Human Rights ruling on 'religious discrimination' cases
Posted: Tue, 15 Jan 2013
The European Court of Human Rights has rejected three of the four landmark cases of alleged religious discrimination in the workplace. The ruling has been welcomed by the National Secular Society. Read More »
Judgements due on landmark religious discrimination cases at European Court
Posted: Tue, 08 Jan 2013
The European Court of Human Rights will announce its judgement on four landmark cases of alleged religious discrimination in the workplace on Tuesday 15 January. Read More »
NSS call on EU Presidents to protect women's right to life
Posted: Tue, 27 Nov 2012
The Presidents of the European Council and European Commission today heard a plea for greater protection for pregnant women's right to life following the death of Savita Halappanavar in Ireland. Read More »
Catholic adoption agency loses fight over gay adoption
Posted: Sat, 03 Nov 2012
The National Secular Society has welcomed a decision not to allow a catholic adoption agency to continue to exclude considering same-sex parents if it wishes to retain its charitable status. Read More »
European secularists raise concerns about nomination of Maltese reactionary to European Commission
Posted: Thu, 01 Nov 2012
Secular groups around Europe are preparing to oppose the nomination of the Maltese Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg to replace the recently resigned European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection. Read More »
Peers call for action over 'religious courts'
Posted: Tue, 23 Oct 2012
Peers in the House of Lords have expressed overwhelming support for a bill to limit the power of self styled 'religious courts'. Read More »
Irish atheist pupil who was forced to pray claims human rights violation
Posted: Tue, 23 Oct 2012
A young Irish atheist has made an official complaint after his school forced him to attend a multi-denominational prayer service. Read More »
Another “Christian B&B” fined for turning away gay couple
Posted: Thu, 18 Oct 2012
A gay couple have successfully sued the owner of bed and breakfast accommodation in Berkshire after she refused to let them stay in a double room because of her religious views. Read More »
Pickles wrong to assign a ‘Christian ethos’ to Britain
Posted: Thu, 13 Sep 2012
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has surpassed himself in an opinion piece for the Telegraph headed A Christian ethos strengthens our nation: Religion shaped the modern British state, and this Government is proud to 'do God'. Read More »
UK Government accused of not upholding freedom of belief
Posted: Fri, 07 Sep 2012
The European Court of Human Rights hearing on 4 September 2012 has heard accusations from applicants that the UK Government is not upholding freedom of belief. Read More »
NSS intervene in landmark cases at European Court of Human Rights
Posted: Sun, 02 Sep 2012
Four controversial British religious discrimination cases are due to be heard at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on Tuesday 4 September 2012. The outcome will have a huge impact on how future equality cases involving religion are determined. Read More »
Woman who was sacked for wearing a headscarf loses religious discrimination claim on a technicality
Posted: Wed, 08 Aug 2012
A Muslim woman in London who claimed she had been sacked from her job in a luggage shop because she wore a headscarf has won her claim of unfair dismissal but lost a claim of direct religious discrimination. Read More »
Woking council to proceed with discriminatory 'free parking for faith groups' policy
Posted: Fri, 20 Jul 2012
Councillors in Woking have officially adopted a controversial new policy statement which gives free parking concessions to members of the faith community. Read More »
Equal marriage: Church’s submission “erroneous”, says lawyer
Posted: Tue, 26 Jun 2012
The Church of England's failure to distinguish between social, religious and legal institutions of marriage "confuses the issues" according to a legal opinion obtained by the National Secular Society about the Church's controversial response to the Government's consultation on equal marriage. The consultation has just closed. Read More »
Catholic Education Service rebuked for blurring distinction between faith and politics in schools
Posted: Wed, 20 Jun 2012
The Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, has written to the Catholic Education Service (CES) to express concern that it has blurred the distinction between discussing matters of faith and promoting partisan political views. Read More »
