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 welcomes guidance which promotes free speech at universities
Posted: Fri, 15 Feb 2019 15:51
The National Secular Society has welcomed new guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (ECHR) which aims to ensure universities "remain a forum for open and robust enquiry".
The guidance defends students' right to "express and receive views and opinions", including those that "may offend, shock or disturb others". It comes after a report from the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) expressed concerns about restrictions on free speech in higher education, including on those who criticise religion.
The guidance says universities should have a code setting out their policies and procedures relating to external speakers and make sure their procedures do not create unnecessary barriers to free speech. They also need to make sure all students are aware of the code.
It adds that the "starting point" should be that any event can go ahead, although higher education providers must consider all their legal duties carefully. It notes that there are some circumstances where UK law limits the right to freedom of expression – for example to protect national security or prevent crime.
When students' unions cancel speakers whose speech would be lawful, the guidance tells universities to take "reasonably practicable steps to ensure the speaker event can proceed".
The guidance reiterates most higher education providers' legal duty to protect freedom of expression and the importance of students' unions promoting free speech in order to meet their obligations as charitable bodies.
David Isaac, chair of the ECHR, said: "The free expression and exchange of different views without persecution or interference goes straight to the heart of our democracy and is a vital part of higher education.
"Holding open, challenging debates rather than silencing the views of those we don't agree with helps to build tolerance and address prejudice and discrimination."
The guidance provides information on the legal basis of often misunderstood terms and echoes recommendations from the JCHR – supported by the NSS – including:
- That peaceful protests should be protected, but that universities have a legal responsibility to take steps to ensure these do not stray into violence, harassment or intimidation intended to shut down events. Universities can take disciplinary action against those over stepping the bounds of legitimate protest.
- Creating a specific 'safe space' or rules governing conduct at specific societies or events, should not be extended in a "blanket manner" to regulate speech across campus.
- Decisions and policies over whether to affiliate student groups should be "well reasoned and justifiable".
In 2018 a JCHR report said "confusion and complexity" were undermining universities' duty to protect free speech. It also found that "incidents in which free speech is restricted often revolve around discussion of key controversial or divisive issues" including "humanist/secular groups critiquing religion".
It added that some reported restrictions on free speech were exaggerated or misleading.
In a submission to the JCHR's inquiry on the issue in 2017, the NSS said universities should promote free expression "not only as a legal concept, but as a positive value".
The report led to a "free speech summit" in May 2018 where leaders in the university sector agreed to create the new guidance. It was produced by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, with input from the National Union of Students, Universities UK, The Office for Students and others.
NSS head of education Alastair Lichen welcomed the guidance.
"Groups critical of religion on campuses have faced specific challenge when university or student officials conflate this with discrimination against religious people. Such cases are exceptions to the rule, but they should prompt concern.
"This guidance will act as a welcome reminder that the promotion of free expression and robust debate is a crucial part of a university's role. It also rightly acknowledges that universities have other responsibilities and should help to clear up some of the myths that have gained traction in the sometimes overheated debate about free speech on campus.
"We all have an interest in ensuring free and lively expression is protected on campuses. Officious student or university officials who overstep the mark to silence 'offence', and commentators with an axe to grind who present every anti-harassment policy or protest as Orwellian thought policing, are the fringes and shouldn't be dominating this debate."
In response to the EHRC's guidance some commentators raised concerns about a case study in the EHRC's guidance which suggested an atheist group should be required to invite a range of speakers if religious students objected. Mr Lichten called the example "well-intentioned but poorly worded".
"A debate on the existence of gods would by definition have a range of views. But it would be ludicrous to suggest an atheist group couldn't invite a speaker to discuss their views on the non-existence of gods or the ethical implications therein, without that particular debate. Atheists don't have a free speech right to reply at every church service.
"However, the clear intention of the case study was to support the free speech of atheist groups and anyone who wishes to peacefully protest or argue against that."
Event to mark 30th anniversary of fatwa against Salman Rushdie
Posted: Fri, 8 Feb 2019 13:19
An event to commemorate a gathering of women who defended the right to publish Salman Rushdie's novel The Satanic Verses is to be held in London next Thursday.
The event at Conway Hall – Why we defended Rushdie and why it is still important today – will coincide with 30th anniversary of the fatwa against the author.
A number of National Secular Society patrons will give speeches, including human rights activist Maryam Namazie and Pragna Patel, co-founder of Women Against Fundamentalism and director of Southall Black Sisters.
The event will also include screening of two short films by NSS honorary associate Gita Sahgal, 'Hullabaloo over The Satanic Verses' and 'Struggle or Submission? Women in Islam'.
On 14 February 1989 Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa demanding that Rushdie be killed over the book's perceived blasphemy against Islamic orthodoxy.
On 27 May that year a massive march of orthodox Muslims demanded the novel be banned in London. At the same time 40 women of many religions and none stood in Parliament Square to oppose the march.
The women carried a banner reading 'Our Tradition, Struggle Not Submission'. They said their stand was a defence of the right to read and dissent, of secular values and of religious freedom.
The gathering was a foundational moment for Women Against Fundamentalism (WAF), a group committed to opposing the rise of fundamentalism in all religions across the world.
Although WAF no longer exists as a formal organisation, many of its members have allied with other organisations to continue to campaign against fundamentalism's impact on women and sexual minorities. They have also mobilised against blasphemy laws and to support the growing movement of people known and unknown across the world fleeing from fundamentalist violence.
The event is being organised by Feminist Dissent, an online journal based at the University of Warwick that brings together innovative and critical insights to enhance understanding of the relationship between gender, fundamentalism and related socio-political issues.
Tickets are free. Those wishing to attend can register here.
This event is supported by the University of Warwick Impact Fund Award and the NSS.
