Tags: Human Rights
Compulsory RE mustn’t indoctrinate, says European Court of Human Rights
Posted: Thu, 31 Oct 2019
The European Court of Human Rights has said RE curricula must be conveyed in an "objective" manner after a successful NSS intervention. Read More »
University revokes sultan of Brunei’s degree after NSS request
Posted: Wed, 24 Apr 2019
The NSS has welcomed a university's revocation of a degree from the sultan of Brunei after his country introduced draconian Islamic laws. Read More »
Strip sultan of Brunei of honours, NSS urges British institutions
Posted: Mon, 08 Apr 2019
The NSS has urged British institutions to strip the sultan of Brunei of honours over his kingdom's use of draconian new punishments. Read More »
Brunei introduces death for gay sex and adultery under sharia law
Posted: Thu, 28 Mar 2019
Brunei will impose death by stoning to punish gay sex and adultery as it implements a draconian form of Islamic law from next week. Read More »
Experts: persecuted Christians review should have broader focus
Posted: Mon, 11 Feb 2019
A UN special rapporteur has urged the government to consider religious freedom more broadly as a review focuses on Christian persecution. Read More »
NSS pays tribute to Asma Jahangir
Posted: Mon, 12 Feb 2018
The NSS is saddened to learn that honorary associate and human rights activist Asma Jahangir has died at the age of 66. Read More »
European court backs Belgium’s ban on face veils
Posted: Tue, 11 Jul 2017
The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Belgium's ban on wearing face veils in public does not violate the European Convention on Human Rights. Read More »
NSS calls for consistent action on religious persecution
Posted: Wed, 05 Jul 2017
The National Secular Society has reiterated the need to defend all victims of religious persecution after a government minister said the UK would focus "in particular" on Christian communities under threat. Read More »
NSS intervenes at UN Human Rights Council over UK failure to outlaw caste discrimination
Posted: Mon, 19 Sep 2016
The National Secular Society has spoken out at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to criticise the UK Government over its failure to tackle caste based discrimination, as the UN has repeatedly urged it do. Read More »
Human rights group warns against global blasphemy law
Posted: Wed, 03 Jun 2015
The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has warned the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) against pushing once more for a global blasphemy law. Read More »
Queen’s Speech: concerns over illiberal Government counter-terror plans
Posted: Wed, 27 May 2015
The National Secular Society has expressed concern over new "anti-extremism" plans announced in the Conservative Government's first Queen's Speech. Read More »
IHEU report reveals extent of global discrimination against non-believers
Posted: Thu, 11 Dec 2014
The International Humanist and Ethical Union's second annual report on the state of human rights for non-believers, atheists and agnostics around the world has found a global "trend towards targeting 'atheists'." Read More »
Obstructionist tactics to block human rights groups from advising UN condemned by UN Special Rapporteur
Posted: Fri, 31 Oct 2014
The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of assembly and association, has criticised repeated efforts to block human rights NGOs from being able to advise the United Nations. Read More »
Faith school allocation may infringe human rights
Posted: Sun, 06 Apr 2014
Non-religious and Christian parents who have been allocated places for their children at a Sikh free school have argued that their right to educate their children according to their beliefs is being infringed. 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 »
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 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 »
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 »
International controversy rages over German ban on circumcision
Posted: Fri, 20 Jul 2012
The court decision in Germany that held that circumcision, carried out for religious — as opposed to medical — reasons, is potentially harmful has been fiercely opposed by religious interests, putting pressure on Chancellor Angela Merkel. Read More »
Peter Tatchell named Secularist of the Year 2012
Posted: Sat, 17 Mar 2012
Human Rights campaigner Peter Tatchell has been named Secularist of the Year. The award was presented by the National Secular Society at a formal lunch on Saturday in central London. Read More »
