Democracy cannot exist without the right to free speech.
Free speech should be robustly defended as a fundamental freedom.
The National Secular Society has defended free speech from religious threats since our founding. We played an instrumental role in abolishing "blasphemy" laws in Britain, but serious concerns remain. Blasphemy laws still exist in Northern Ireland. And throughout the UK, religious fundamentalists seek to impose their blasphemy taboos on others through violence and intimidation.
There are also increasing attempts to categorise offending religious sensibilities as 'hate speech', making criticism, mockery or perceived 'insult' of religion a criminal act akin to racial hatred or inciting violence – in other words, a 'blasphemy law by the back door'.
Without free speech no search for truth is possible; without free speech no discovery of truth is useful; without free speech progress is checked… Better a thousand fold abuse of free speech than denial of free speech.
We are further concerned by a developing 'culture of offence' in which any speech or action deemed likely to offend religious sensibilities is considered taboo. Enforced by a toxic mix of terrorism and religious deference, this is chilling free speech through self-censorship.
We also campaign against blasphemy laws around the world, where they continue to be used to target religious and political minorities. These are sometimes described by UK politicians as 'misuse' of blasphemy laws, but we contend there are never any legitimate uses for blasphemy laws.
Being offended from time to time is the price we all pay for living in a free society. Rather than trying to silence those we disagree with, we believe the answer to speech we don't like is more speech – better speech.
We therefore campaign to protect and preserve freedom of expression, including offensive, critical and shocking speech.
What you can do
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2. Join us
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Latest updates
Pakistani secularists condemn attacks on Christian community
Posted: Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:24
Secularists in Pakistan have strongly condemned attacks on Christians in the country after mobs ransacked a Christian neighbourhood and torched dozens of homes over a blasphemy row in the city of Lahore.
Muslim protesters turned violent after derogatory remarks against the Prophet Mohammed were allegedly made by a young Christian man, Sawan Masih. Reports say 178 houses of the low-income community, as well as shops and 3 churches were looted and burnt to ashes. The local Pastor was attacked and the father of Savan Masih was beaten up and subsequently arrested.
Responding to violence, The Forum for Secular Pakistan said the country is witnessing "the bitter fruit of decades of State and external sponsorship and promotion of the Jihadi groups, as well as the more recent appeasement policy towards the Taliban groups."
A spokesperson for the group said: "Violating the Constitutional safeguards and guarantees, the State has failed to provide protection of life, liberty, honour, dignity, property and possessions. It has now reached a stage where the very existence of Pakistan is at stake.
"The Forum calls for an immediate separation of religion from politics; a clear federal and provincial policy statement regarding concrete measures to protect vulnerable minorities; a substantive change in our school curricula to remove all hate materials; and an immediate revision of the law and section 295-B&C to prevent further exploitation falsely in the name of religion."
Blasphemy is an extremely sensitive subject in Pakistan. According to Human Rights Watch, there are at least 16 people on death row for blasphemy and another 20 are serving life sentences. Opponents of the blasphemy law say it is often used for vested interests, personal vendettas and political gains.
IHEU reminds UN that Freedom of Expression must be protected
Posted: Wed, 6 Mar 2013 10:14
The main representative of the International Humanist and Ethical Union to the UN in Geneva, Roy Brown (right), spoke this week in reply to the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, reminding the UN Human Rights Council of the need to protect the right to freedom of expression while taking steps to combat "hate speech".
He applauded the efforts made by the High Commissioner's office to negotiate a way through this political minefield; an effort that resulted in the "Rabat Plan of Action" which has been widely welcomed by defenders of freedom of expression. Here is the text of Roy's speech:
The Rabat Plan of Action
Madam High Commissioner, Mr President
We welcome the report by the High Commissioner and applaud her deep commitment to the protection of human rights worldwide. We were particularly encouraged by her comments on the Expert Workshops on combating incitement to hatred and violence while protecting the right to freedom of expression, and by the outcome document: The Rabat Plan of Action.
May we bring to the Council's attention a paragraph from the Plan of Action which quotes the Human Rights Committee General Comment no 34 (2011).
Prohibitions of displays of lack of respect for a religion or other belief system, including blasphemy laws, are incompatible with the Convention [the ICCPR], except in specific circumstances … Thus, for instance, it would be impermissible for any such laws to discriminate in favour of or against one or certain religions or belief systems … or religious believers over non-believers. Nor would it be permissible for such prohibitions to be used to prevent or punish criticism of religious leaders, or commentary on religious doctrine and tenets of faith" (para. 48)." If only, Madam High Commissioner.
In our written statement we referred to the IHEU report Freedom of Thought 2012 which documents world-wide discrimination against non-believers, a phenomenon that has until now been largely ignored – including by this Council. We shall be referring to this issue again during this Council session under agenda item 4 when a victim of abuse will be recounting his personal experiences.
We urge all States, and in particular those pushing for further restrictions on freedom of expression, to accept and implement the Rabat Plan of Action. It would go a very long way to diffusing tensions between those who feel obliged to protect religions and those of us who are more concerned with the protection of human rights
