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
Pakistan’s PM calls on ‘Muslim world’ to raise ‘blasphemy’ at UN
Posted: Fri, 31 Aug 2018 14:18
Pakistan's prime minister Imran Khan has called on countries with large Muslim populations to raise a coordinated objection to cartoons of the Islamic prophet Muhammad at the United Nations.
This week Khan said his government would raise the 'issue' of 'blasphemy' at the United Nations General Assembly next month. He also called on "Muslim countries" to cooperate to pass laws against blasphemy similar to those prohibiting Holocaust denial in parts of Europe.
"Our government will raise the matter in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and ask the Muslim countries to come up with a collective policy that could then be brought up at international forums," Khan said.
The OIC campaigned for a global blasphemy law at the UN from 1998 to 2011. In 2012 its secretary-general said the effort would stop. The National Secular Society, which has lobbied governments at the UN against previous efforts to introduce global 'blasphemy' laws, has pledged to do so again.
Khan's comments came after Pakistan's senate passed a resolution condemning a planned cartoon contest in the Netherlands. Thousands of Islamists also rallied in Pakistan to protest against the contest.
The MP Geert Wilders had planned to encourage people to draw caricatures of Muhammad in November. He cancelled it on Thursday, citing threats to his own safety and that of others in the Netherlands.
Khan said westerners "don't realise how their blasphemous activities hurt the sentiments of Muslims all over the world". He added that laws against 'blasphemy' should be similar to those which prevent Holocaust denial in parts of Europe.
"If they [western countries] feel pained discussing the Holocaust, why haven't we been able to convey to the west how much we feel pained when they do blasphemous things against Islam and our beloved holy prophet, peace be upon him?"
Khan said four European countries have jail sentences for "anyone who misquotes the figures of Holocaust" because "they realise that this is something that hurts the sentiments of the Jewish community".
"We need a similar policy for the blasphemous issue so that our sentiments are not hurt repeatedly by the people."
Khan, who was sworn in as prime minister earlier this month, strongly defended Pakistan's blasphemy laws in the run-up to the recent election.
An NSS spokesperson said: "Blasphemy laws are never justifiable and Imran Khan's appeals to hurt feelings are a classic tactic: the bully is playing the victim. The international community must see through this.
"It is bad enough that Pakistan's prime minister has courted the support of the religious right by defending the indefensible restrictions on free speech at home. For him to lead a campaign to silence people abroad is even more appalling.
"If Pakistan, the OIC or anyone else wish to resurrect this non-issue we will use all our contacts to thwart their progress and push UN member states to resist them."
The NSS has had consultative status on the UN Economic and Social Council since 2016 and has previously joined alliances with other human rights organisations on this issue.
The NSS played a vital part in the repeal of the blasphemy law in England and Wales in 2008 and supports campaigns to repeal blasphemy laws worldwide. According to a report from the US government last year there were laws restricting freedom of expression on religious issues in 71 countries.
This week Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte defended Wilders's right to hold the cartoon contest while questioning his motives for doing so.
"His aim is not to have a debate about Islam. His aim is to be provocative."
Hindu leader calls on Italian brewery to withdraw “inappropriate” beer
Posted: Thu, 26 Jul 2018 14:13
The National Secular Society has warned of the need to resist "a competitive offence-taking culture" among religious groups after a Hindu group asked an Italian brewery to withdraw a beer.
Rajan Zed, the president of the Universal Society of Hinduism (USoH), asked Pontino Brewery in central Italy to apologise and stop selling its 'Sons of Shiva' beer this week. The label of the beer, an American IPA, carries an image of Hindu deity Ganesh holding a bottle in one hand.
In a statement on his website, delivered from the US state of Nevada, Zed claimed the use of the image was "highly inappropriate" and said "linking a Hindu deity with an alcoholic beverage was very disrespectful".
"Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha were highly revered in Hinduism and were meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to be used in selling beer for mercantile greed."
In 2016 Zed played a prominent part in a social media campaign against Amazon based on the fact it was selling doormats with Hindu gods on them, along with other doormats featuring Christian and Muslim symbols. Amazon removed the doormats in response.
In recent months Zed and USoH have called on a museum in Chicago to withdraw a doll of Lord Shiva from sale and called on Adidas to rename a brand of shoes named Holi.
The latest row comes shortly after two large breweries in the UK ordered their pubs to take down the Saudi Arabian flag on the basis that it contains an Islamic statement of faith. Greene King and Mitchells & Butlers both said including the flag in their World Cup displays in a place where alcohol was sold would be "inappropriate".
The National Secular Society wrote to the two breweries and strongly criticised their decision.
In May a German brewery, Eichbaum, withdrew a marketing campaign featuring the World Cup participants' flags on beer bottle caps after complaints that the Saudi flag should not appear on beer bottles.
Last November the British bakery Greggs apologised for producing an advert with a sausage roll in a nativity scene after some Christians publicly took offence.
NSS spokesperson Chris Sloggett said Zed was "entitled to take offence if he wishes" but his demands should be "dismissed out of hand".
"This is the latest reminder that giving ground on free speech encourages a competitive offence-taking culture which erodes the boundaries of the private sphere.
"Companies should stand up to the bullying tactics religious groups are employing to enforce de facto blasphemy codes, including when those demands cross national boundaries.
"They may think it is easier to take the amoral path of least resistance. But if they give in they will encourage further demands to control the free expression of private individuals and enterprises, including themselves."
