Tags: Freedom of Expression
NSS: Irish referendum should prompt “celebration of free speech”
Posted: Thu, 21 Jun 2018
The NSS has said Ireland's upcoming referendum on blasphemy should "prompt a debate about celebrating free speech as a positive value". Read More »
JCHR: “confusion and complexity” restricting campus free speech
Posted: Wed, 28 Mar 2018
A parliamentary committee has said critics of religion are among those whose free speech is most likely to be restricted at universities. Read More »
NSS welcomes repeal of Offensive Behaviour at Football Act
Posted: Tue, 20 Mar 2018
The NSS has welcomed the repeal of a Scottish law which restricted football fans' freedom of expression on religion in an attempt to tackle sectarianism. Read More »
NSS calls on Scottish government to repeal blasphemy laws
Posted: Tue, 20 Mar 2018
The NSS has called on the Scottish government to repeal its blasphemy laws as the SNP's governing body considered the measure. Read More »
NSS criticises Facebook over ban on ‘halal lion king’ satirist
Posted: Tue, 27 Feb 2018
The NSS has criticised Facebook's decision to remove the page of a satirist who mocks Islamist preachers. Read More »
ECHR: Lithuania infringed free expression over religious icons
Posted: Thu, 01 Feb 2018
Lithuania violated the right to free expression by fining a fashion company for using religious imagery in adverts, the ECHR has ruled. Read More »
NSS: Council’s ban on religious offence is an insult to voters
Posted: Fri, 12 Jan 2018
The NSS has called on Belfast City Council to reconsider a ban on "offensive expression" about religious beliefs during council business. Read More »
NSS: promote free speech as “a positive value” on campus
Posted: Fri, 15 Dec 2017
The NSS has told a parliamentary committee free speech should be protected "not only as a legal concept" on university campuses. Read More »
Secularism ‘regressing on a global scale’, says report
Posted: Tue, 05 Dec 2017
The idea that secularism and human rights will inevitably establish themselves is "deeply complacent and apathetic," a report says. Read More »
Student U-turn over Christian Union ban at Oxford College
Posted: Thu, 12 Oct 2017
Organisers will allow the Christian Union to exhibit at future freshers' fairs at an Oxford college, after an earlier decision to ban it. Read More »
Ireland to vote on liberalising abortion and blasphemy laws
Posted: Thu, 28 Sep 2017
Ireland is to hold referenda on changing its laws on abortion and blasphemy next year. Read More »
Blasphemy laws “astonishingly widespread” - report
Posted: Mon, 14 Aug 2017
Dozens of countries from all corners of the globe retain laws which punish blasphemy and most of them punish the 'crime' severely, according a report from the US government. Read More »
UN tells Pakistan to end blasphemy laws and protect minorities
Posted: Wed, 02 Aug 2017
The UN's Human Rights Committee has told Pakistan to end its blasphemy laws and do more to protect religious minorities. Read More »
Secularist conference features ‘largest gathering of ex-Muslims in history’
Posted: Tue, 25 Jul 2017
Organisers of a major conference on free thought say it has brought together "the largest gathering of ex-Muslims in history". Read More »
NSS expresses support for 'deplatformed' Richard Dawkins
Posted: Tue, 25 Jul 2017
The National Secular Society has expressed its support for Richard Dawkins after a radio station cancelled one of his speeches because of his criticisms of Islam. Read More »
Pakistan puts pressure on Facebook to help punish 'blasphemers'
Posted: Fri, 21 Jul 2017
The Pakistani government is punishing people for social media posts which it considers blasphemous, and placing pressure on social media companies to help it do so. Read More »
Ex-Muslims accused of 'inciting hatred' after criticising Islamic homophobia at Pride
Posted: Mon, 17 Jul 2017
A prominent group of ex-Muslims are facing calls to be banned from future Pride marches in London after a mosque complained about their criticisms of Islam. Read More »
Effort to repeal New Zealand blasphemy law delayed
Posted: Wed, 24 May 2017
An attempt by Labour MP Chris Hipkins to remove anti-blasphemy laws from New Zealand's statute book has failed after National Party and Maori Party MPs voted it down. Read More »
Campaigns against blasphemy laws gather steam following Ahok conviction and Fry investigation
Posted: Wed, 10 May 2017
Indonesia, Denmark and New Zealand are facing calls to repeal their blasphemy laws, following the conviction of Jakarta's former governor for blasphemy and an investigation into Stephen Fry. Read More »
Calls for abolition of Irish blasphemy law following investigation of Stephen Fry
Posted: Mon, 08 May 2017
The National Secular Society has called for the repeal of Ireland's blasphemy law after Irish police dropped an investigation against Stephen Fry over a complaint of 'blasphemy' related to an interview aired in 2015. Read More »
