Tags: blasphemy
New report warns of ‘escalation’ in global persecution against non-believers
Posted: Thu, 10 Dec 2015
The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) has warned that worldwide "persecution of the non-religious has escalated" in the past year. Read More »
Labour MP Keith Vaz would have “no problem” with reintroduction of UK blasphemy laws
Posted: Mon, 16 Nov 2015
Labour MP Keith Vaz has expressed his support for the reintroduction of UK blasphemy laws – provided they "apply equally to everybody." Read More »
New US free expression campaign website launched for International Blasphemy Rights Day
Posted: Wed, 30 Sep 2015
The US-based Centre for Inquiry (CFI) has launched a new website for their campaign to promote and defend free expression, in time to celebrate International Blasphemy Rights Day. Read More »
NSS welcomes Warwick Student Union’s decision to allow Maryam Namazie to speak
Posted: Mon, 28 Sep 2015
The National Secular Society has welcomed Warwick Student Union's decision to host secular campaigner Maryam Namazie. The Union reversed their ban on her speaking following huge public pressure. Read More »
Secular groups write to Nigerian President over blasphemy death sentences
Posted: Sun, 02 Aug 2015
The National Secular Society has joined other secularist organisations in calling for a full pardon and civil protection for nine people recently sentenced to death by a Sharia court in Nigeria. Read More »
Student secular society’s website deleted after “ominous” threat sent from Saudi Arabia
Posted: Thu, 02 Jul 2015
The Manchester Free Speech and Secular Society's website has been deleted, shortly after the group received a message warning they would "feel remorse" if they didn't stop criticising Islamic fundamentalism. Read More »
International groups highlight global persecution of non-religious and religious minorities
Posted: Thu, 25 Jun 2015
Secular human rights organisations have called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to promote "genuine respect for freedom of religion and belief and freedom of expression". Read More »
Imam joins secularists and Christians in defending Pastor James McConnell’s free speech
Posted: Wed, 24 Jun 2015
An Islamic scholar has said he is willing to go to prison to defend the free speech of Northern Ireland Pastor James McConnell, who is being prosecuted for comments he made on Islam. 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 »
MP warns of “religious intimidation” of Muslim voters
Posted: Sat, 16 May 2015
The Labour MP for Slough has hit out against voter intimidation, after some Muslim voters were told that they were not 'true Muslims' unless they voted against her. Read More »
NSS joins calls for Government to recognise global discrimination against atheists- as third Bangladeshi blogger is hacked to death
Posted: Tue, 12 May 2015
The National Secular Society is calling on the Government to do more to tackle global discrimination against non-believers, secularists and humanists- after a third Bangladeshi secular blogger was murdered. Read More »
Bath Student Union says decision to cut Jesus and Mohammed sketch was “in line with normal practice”
Posted: Mon, 11 May 2015
Bath Student Union has defended their decision to cut 'blasphemous' material from a student group's comedy show, saying that it is "normal practice" for Student Union officers to edit scripts. Read More »
Queen’s University Belfast cancels Charlie Hebdo event for ‘security’ reasons
Posted: Wed, 22 Apr 2015
Queen's University Belfast has cancelled an event on the fallout from the attack on Charlie Hebdo, citing fears over the university's "reputation" and "security" if the talk went ahead. Read More »
Putin continues promotion of “traditional values” and crackdown on blasphemy
Posted: Tue, 31 Mar 2015
The head of the Novosibirsk State Opera and Ballet Theatre has been fired by the Russian Culture Minister over a 'blasphemous' opera, prompting further fears about free speech and religious freedom in Russia. Read More »
Jordan proposes ban on “insults to religions” at next Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting
Posted: Wed, 25 Mar 2015
Jordan has introduced an emergency item to the next meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, calling for a ban on insulting religion or religious symbols. Read More »
NSS warns of ‘de-facto’ blasphemy laws at European Parliament
Posted: Thu, 26 Feb 2015
The National Secular Society has raised concerns about the limits imposed on free speech by unofficial blasphemy laws enforced by the threat of violence. Read More »
French religious leaders asked to sign free speech declaration
Posted: Wed, 04 Feb 2015
Reporters Without Borders is asking French religious leaders to sign a statement declaring that "everyone is free to express criticism… of any system of political, philosophical or religious thought." Read More »
Malta to reform blasphemy law
Posted: Mon, 19 Jan 2015
The Republic of Malta is to reform its long-standing blasphemy law, according to a report in the Sunday Times of Malta. Read More »
BBC restrictions on depicting Mohammed must be abolished, says NSS
Posted: Fri, 09 Jan 2015
The National Secular Society is calling on the Government to compel the BBC to remove a restriction on any depiction of the prophet Mohammed. Read More »
EU parliament calls on Pakistan to abolish the death penalty for blasphemy
Posted: Mon, 01 Dec 2014
The European parliament has voted for a resolution condemning Pakistan's blasphemy laws, saying that they were increasingly being used to "target vulnerable minority groups." Read More »
