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
NSS urges release of Humanist leader after a year in detention
Posted: Wed, 28 Apr 2021 08:20
The National Secular Society has urged authorities in Nigeria to release a Humanist leader who has been in arbitrary detention for a year after being accused of insulting Islam's prophet Muhammad.
Mubarak Bala, the president of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, has been held without charge since he was arrested on 28 April 2020.
He was arrested after petitioners objected to some of his Facebook posts. For much of his time in detention, he has been denied access to legal counsel.
He has been held in the state of Kano, where the petition against him was launched, after being arrested from his home in the state of Kaduna.
Sharia courts operate alongside secular courts in Kano state, and blasphemy can be punishable by death. Bala has also received many death threats.
In December a judge at the High Court in Nigeria's capital, Abuja, ruled that Bala should be immediately released.
NSS letter
The NSS has today written to the governor of Kano to urge him to secure Bala's "immediate release and safety".
The society's letter raises the concern that Bala has been "targeted for the peaceful exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and religion or belief".
It says his continued incarceration without charge violates the fundamental rights guaranteed under Nigeria's constitution.
It adds that if charges are brought, Bala should be transferred to a territory where it is more likely he will receive a fair trial and his wellbeing, safety and access to legal counsel must be guaranteed.
Explaining the decision to write the letter, NSS chief executive Stephen Evans said: "Mubarak Bala's continued detention is a blatant violation of his fundamental rights, including the right to freedom of expression and freedom of belief.
"And it has now cost him a year of freedom. He should be released and his rights guaranteed, without delay."
International efforts to secure release
Humanists International (HI), which is coordinating efforts to secure Bala's fundamental rights, has today published an open letter to the governor of Kano state calling for his immediate release. The NSS is among signatories to the letter.
HI is also urging people to share calls for Bala's release under the hashtag #FreeMubarakBala on social media.
The UK government took up the case last year after lobbying from a range of groups, including the NSS and some of its supporters.
Update: On Wednesday seven UN human rights experts condemned Nigerian authorities for failing to release Mubarak Bala, describing it as a "flagrant violation of fundamental human rights".
Read more about Mubarak Bala's situation in Humanists International's briefing.
Teacher suspended after using Muhammad cartoon in class on blasphemy
Posted: Thu, 25 Mar 2021 18:16
A teacher has been suspended after using a cartoon of Islam's prophet Muhammad in a religious studies lesson about blasphemy, while protesters have gathered outside the school demanding the teacher's dismissal.
Batley Grammar School in West Yorkshire has confirmed a decision to suspend the teacher, pending an independent formal investigation, and apologised for the use of the resource.
The school has also said it has withdrawn teaching on the relevant part of its course and will review its RS curriculum "to ensure no other resource or statement is inappropriate".
Meanwhile protesters gathered outside the school gates this morning, causing significant local disruption and pushing the school's starting time back to 10am.
The National Secular Society has criticised the protests and the school's response.
The NSS has also written to the school, to ask for an explanation of its rationale and urge it not to pander to demands for blasphemy taboos.
Reports suggest the teacher warned that some members of the class may find the cartoon offensive, before using it to prompt a discussion about killings that have taken place after the publication of Muhammad cartoons.
School's statement
In a statement, the school said: "The school unequivocally apologises for using a totally inappropriate resource in a recent religious studies lesson. The member of staff has also given their most sincere apologies.
"We have immediately withdrawn teaching on this part of the course and we are reviewing how we go forward with the support of all the communities represented in our school.
"It is important for children to learn about faiths and beliefs, but this must be done in a sensitive way.
"The school is working closely with the governing board and community leaders to help resolve this situation."
NSS comment
NSS chief executive Stephen Evans said the protest was "an attempt to impose an Islamic blasphemy taboo on a school".
"Teachers must have a reasonable degree of freedom to explore sensitive subjects and enable students to think critically about them.
"Schools will understandably want to promote community cohesion and inclusiveness. But this cannot be achieved by pandering to religious groups who wish to dictate what can and cannot be taught.
"And the school's weak response will fuel a climate of censorship, which is brought on by attempts to force society as a whole to accommodate unreasonable and reactionary religious views."
Government response
In a statement on Thursday evening the Department for Education said it was "never acceptable to threaten or intimidate teachers", adding that schools are "free to include a full range of issues, ideas and materials in their curriculum".
Notes
- In October last year a school teacher in Paris, Samuel Paty, was killed after he showed cartoons of Muhammad from Charlie Hebdo magazine during a class about free expression.
- Protesters gathered at the school for a second day on Friday, while students at the school launched a petition to keep the teacher.
Story updated on Friday 26 March to reflect some new developments.
Image: Oxana Maher / Batley Grammar School / CC BY-SA 2.0
