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
Ministers take up case of Nigerian Humanist arrested for blasphemy
Posted: Fri, 5 Jun 2020 11:22
The UK government has said it is looking in to the case of Humanist leader Mubarak Bala, who was arrested for blasphemy in Nigeria in April, "on an urgent basis".
Bala, the president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, was arrested after apparently criticising Islam on Facebook.
He has not yet been charged or released and colleagues have expressed concerns for his safety. According to recent updates, his whereabouts remain unknown and he has not been granted access to his legal team.
Nigeria's constitution theoretically guarantees freedom of expression but also allows states to set up sharia courts – which can punish blasphemy by death.
Government response
In response to a question in parliament this week, the minister for Africa James Duddridge said he had raised the case with Nigeria's minister of foreign affairs last month.
He said the prime minister's special envoy for freedom of religion or belief, Rehman Chishti, was "personally looking into Mr Bala's case on an urgent basis".
He said Chishti had raised the case internationally and the UK's high commission was discussing the case with the Nigerian authorities.
He added: "We will continue to stress the importance of a transparent investigation that respects Mr Bala's human rights, the rule of law, and the Nigerian constitutional right to freedom of religion or belief.
"Defending freedom of religion or belief for all remains a UK policy priority and we will continue to use our voice internationally to protect this human right."
MPs respond to NSS supporters
As part of its reponse to the arrest the National Secular Society has written to ministers and the Nigerian ambassador to the UK to lobby for Bala's release.
The NSS has also encouraged supporters to raise the case with their MPs, some of whom have now highlighted the government's position in response.
An international effort to free Mubarak Bala is being coordinated by the NGO Humanists International, and groups including Humanists UK are also lobbying for his release.
NSS comment
NSS head of communications Chris Sloggett welcomed the government's response and thanked the society's supporters who had helped to raise the case.
"Mubarak Bala is in danger simply for speaking his mind. His safety must be guaranteed and his fundamental right to freedom of religion or belief protected.
"Ministers are right to stand up for him, and they should continue applying pressure on the Nigerian authorities to secure a swift and satisfactory resolution to this case."
Blasphemy appeal delayed in Pakistan
Meanwhile this week, a Christian couple who have been in prison for six years and sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan saw an appeal against their conviction delayed.
Lahore's High Court was due to hear Shagufta Kausar and her husband Shafqat Emmanuel's appeal on Wednesday, but the hearing was delayed with a new date yet to be announced.
Saif ul-Malook, the lawyer who was named as the NSS's Secularist of the Year for 2019 after his work defending the blasphemy accused Asia Bibi, is representing the couple.
UPDATE on Mubarak Bala (11 June):
According to Humanists International, Mubarak Bala's whereabouts and wellbeing remain unknown six weeks on from his arrest.
Bala has still not appeared before a court in person, nor has he been granted access to his legal counsel.
On 17 June, a fundamental rights petition filed by Bala's legal counsel is due to be heard before the Abuja High Court.
Picture via Humanists International.
Fears for safety of Nigerian Humanist leader after blasphemy arrest
Posted: Wed, 29 Apr 2020 16:24
The president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria has been arrested for blasphemy for a second time after apparently criticising Islam on Facebook, sparking fears for his safety.
Mubarak Bala's colleagues have expressed concern that he could be handed over to police in the state of Kano, where a prosecution could lead to a death sentence.
Nigeria's constitution theoretically guarantees freedom of expression but also allows states to set up sharia courts – which can punish blasphemy by death.
Bala was arrested on Tuesday after a petition from a group of lawyers, sent to local police, said he had called the Islamic prophet Muhammad "all sorts of denigrating names".
Content of petition against Bala
The petition asked that Bala be "brought to book so he will know and understand that Nigeria is not a lawless society".
It claimed that since his previous arrest in 2014, he has "been writing stuffs on his Facebook page that are provocative and annoying to Muslims".
It also claimed Bala's words would "definitely incite Muslims and provoke them to take law into their hands, which may ultimately result into public disturbance and breach of the peace".
Effort to secure release and secularist response
The NGO Humanists International, which is coordinating the efforts to free Bala, has issued a briefing explaining the latest situation and urging sympathetic groups and individuals to take action.
It encourages supporters to spread the news of his detention and contribute to a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for a legal team. It also has a template letter for those trying to raise awareness with their governments.
The NSS has offered to assist Humanists International's efforts, made a contribution to the crowdfunding campaign and written to the Nigerian ambassador to the UK to lobby for Bala's release.
The society is encouraging supporters to take similar steps.
NSS chief executive Stephen Evans called for international pressure to secure Bala's release.
"Mubarak Bala's arrest is an appalling and deeply concerning attack on freedom of expression which should be condemned in the strongest terms.
"He's in danger for simply speaking his mind, and the UK government should join others in working to ensure he is released without delay.
"This is also a reminder that laws and codes which restrict 'blasphemy' are an affront to freedom of expression and should be repealed wherever they exist."
Leo Igwe, who chairs the Humanist Association of Nigeria's board of trustees, has said everyone at the group is "deeply worried" by Bala's arrest and detention.
Groups including Humanists UK and the Center for Inquiry have also condemned the arrest.
Previous arrest
Bala was committed to a psychiatric unit by force by his Muslim family in 2014. He was released after international media coverage of his plight, but continued to receive death threats afterwards.
Update: On 9 May 2020 the NSS released an emergency podcast with Leo Igwe to discuss Mubarak's situation.
Image via Twitter.
