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
1. Share your story
Tell us why you support this campaign, and how you are personally affected by the issue. You can also let us know if you would like assistance with a particular issue.
2. Join us
Become a member of the National Secular Society today! Together, we can separate religion and state for greater freedom and fairness.
Latest updates
Campaigners call for release of Iranian blogger who ‘insulted Islam’
Posted: Tue, 26 Oct 2021 15:46
Over 200 organisations and individuals have called for the release of an Iranian blogger imprisoned for 'blasphemy'.
An initiative launched by Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain (CEMB), Atheist Republic and Ex-Muslims of Scandinavia aims to free Soheil Arabi (pictured), who has been imprisoned in Iran since 2013.
The National Secular Society is one of more than 200 organisations and individuals from around the world who pledged their support to mark 'International Soheil Day' on 3 October.
Arabi was sentenced to death in November 2013 on charges of "insulting the Prophet of Islam" in Facebook posts that were critical of the Iranian state and some senior officials.
Due to public pressure, his sentence was commuted in 2015 to several years' imprisonment and two years of mandatory study of Islamic theology. Whilst in prison, he has continued to speak out to expose inhumane prison conditions and defend freedom of thought.
In August he was sentenced to another two years in prison for "spreading propaganda with the intention of disturbing public opinion".
On 7 October he was summoned to court to face additional charges, including "offensive statements against the supreme leader of Iran". Arabi and another civil activist refused to attend the court or accept its legitimacy and were threatened and beaten as a result. The two men have been on hunger strike since 19 October.
Last week Arabi's mother, Farangiz Mazloum, was summoned to serve an 18-month prison sentence for demanding justice for her son. In an interview with Iran International, Mazloum said the regime had begun arresting mothers to prevent protests commemorating those killed during the 2019 'Bloody November' protests in Iran.
Mazloum said she is extremely concerned about her son's situation and has not heard from him.
In 2017 Arabi won Reporters Without Borders's Press Freedom Prize. The prize honours courageous and independent journalists who have faced threats or imprisonment for their work and who have challenged the abuse of power.
CEMB spokesperson Maryam Namazie said: "Every day must be Soheil Day if we are going to save his life and secure his freedom.
"Freedom of conscience, including the freedom not to follow a religion and to criticise religion, is a basic human right. Soheil is saying this loud and clear from an Iranian prison at great risk to his life. The least we can do is stand with him and his mother, and ensure they are never alone or forgotten until Soheil is free."
CEMB encourages supporters to take the following action to support Soheil Arabi:
- Sign a petition at Change.org calling for his release. It currently has over 100,000 signatures.
- Send a postcard to Arabi and his mother expressing your support and solidarity. You can post the postcard to BM Box 1919, London WC1N 3XX.
- Raise awareness on social media using the hashtags #FreeSoheil #SoheilDay #SoheilArabi and #FarangizMazloum.
- Raise his case with human rights organisations urging them to make it a priority.
Image: Nano GoleSorkh, CC BY 3.0
Nigerian Humanist leader charged over ‘blasphemous’ Facebook posts
Posted: Thu, 5 Aug 2021 09:47
The president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria is facing formal charges over Facebook posts which allegedly contained 'blasphemous' content, more than a year after he was detained over them.
Mubarak Bala, who was arrested in April 2020, faces 10 counts of causing a public disturbance in connection with the posts, according to documents seen by Humanists International – which is supporting him.
He has been charged in Kano state under customary law, which means 'blasphemy' is punishable by up to two years in prison.
There were previously fears that he could be charged under sharia law, which includes the death penalty for blasphemy in Kano.
Humanists International (HI), which is coordinating the campaign to release Mubarak Bala, has said the charges lack "basis".
Bala's legal team has petitioned Nigeria's federal High Court to seek transfer to a neutral territory where he may face the chance of a fair trial. HI has warned that blasphemy is "a highly sensitive issue" in Kano.
Bala has also previously faced death threats in response to his criticisms of Islam.
NSS comment
NSS chief executive Stephen Evans said the charges were "a blatant violation of Mubarak Bala's fundamental right to freedom of expression".
"Blasphemy should never be a crime, and Mubarak Bala should be released, and his safety and rights secured, immediately and unconditionally.
"We again join calls for the Nigerian authorities to release Mubarak Bala, and for governments around the world to unite in demanding his release."
Notes
- The NSS has contributed to campaigns to release Bala, and recently urged authorities in Nigeria to release him after he had spent a year in detention.
- In June 2020 the UK government said it would take up Bala's case "on an urgent basis". The NSS and many supporters were among those to urge ministers to do so.
- Bala was previously arrested, and committed to a psychiatric unit by his Muslim family, over criticism of Islam in 2014.
