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Annual Report 2015
Annual Report 2015 challenging religious privilege ABOUT THE NATIONAL SECULAR SOCIETY Founded in 1866, we work towards a society in which all citizens, regardless of religious belief, or lack of religious belief, can live together fairly and cohesively. We campaign for a secular democracy with a separation of religion and state, where everyone’s Human Rights are respected equally. This report covers the period October 2014 – October 2015 THE SECULAR CHARTER Our campaigning and policy objectives are guided by our Secular Charter. The National Secular Society campaigns for a secular state, where: • There is no established state religion. • Everyone is equal before the law, regardless of religion, belief or non-belief. • The judicial process is not hindered or replaced by religious codes or processes. • Freedom of expression is not restricted by religious considerations. • Religion plays no role in state-funded education, whether through religious affiliation of schools, curriculum setting, organised worship, religious instruction, pupil selection or employment practices. • The state does not express religious beliefs or preferences and does not intervene in the setting of religious doctrine. • The state does not engage in, fund or promote religious activities or practices. • There is freedom of belief, non-belief and to renounce or change religion. • Public and publicly-funded service provision does not discriminate on grounds of religion, belief or non-belief. • Individuals and groups are neither accorded privilege nor disadvantaged because of their religion, belief or non-belief. 01 FROM THE PRESIDENT Secularism’s role has You might have thought that the ‘Trojan Horse’ affair would have shaken the never been so important Government’s faith in faith schools, but This has been another significant year for once more Mr Cameron gives them a free the NSS, with the prospect of an even pass. -
Brief an Den Gouverneur Des Bundesstaates
HVD · Wallstr. 65 · 10179 Berlin Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje Office of the Governor Government House Kano Kano State, Nigeria Telephone: (+234) 7044-930000 Email: [email protected] 28.4.2021 Betreff: Fortwährende Inhaftierung von Mubarak Bala Sehr geehrter Herr Gouverneur, Die unterzeichnenden 51 Organisationen und Einzelpersonen schreiben Ihnen heute, um unsere tiefe Besorgnis über die andauernde Inhaftierung von Mubarak Bala, dem Präsidenten der Humanist Association of Nigeria, auszudrücken, der nun schon seit 365 Tagen willkürlich inhaftiert ist. Wir fordern Sie auf, Herrn Bala sofort und bedingungslos freizulassen. Mubarak Bala, geboren 1984 im Bundesstaat Kano, Nordnigeria, ist ein prominentes und angesehenes Mitglied der Humanistischen Bewegung. Der gelernte Chemieingenieur ist Präsident der Humanist Association of Nigeria. Er hat im Internet und den sozialen Medien Kampagnen zur Förderung der Menschenrechte, Religions- und Weltanschauungsfreiheit und zur Sensibilisierung für religiösen Extremismus gestartet. Seit er 2014 dem Islam abgeschworen hat, ist Herr Bala Opfer von Morddrohungen und Schikanen geworden. Im Juni desselben Jahres wurde er gegen seinen Willen in einer psychiatrischen Einrichtung im Bundesstaat Kano festgehalten. Die globale Organisation Humanists International und ihre Mitgliedsorganisationen sind tief besorgt um sein Wohlergehen. Die Verhaftung von Herrn Bala am 28. April 2020 folgte auf eine Petition, die am 27. April beim Polizeipräsidenten des Kano-Kommandos von einer lokalen Anwaltskanzlei eingereicht wurde. Es wurde behauptet, Mubarak Bala hätte in seinen Facebook-Posts den Propheten Mohammed beleidig, was gegen Abschnitt 26(1)(c) des ‚Cybercrimes Acts‘ verstößt. Humanistischer Wallstr. 65 · 10179 Berlin Amtsgericht IBAN Geschäftskonto: Verband Tel.: 030 61390-434 · Fax: - Charlottenburg DE68 1002 0500 0003 Deutschlands e.V. 450 VR-Nr. -
For a Tolerant World Where Rational Thinking and Kindness Prevail Welcome
Northumbria Students Union 2 Sandyford Ford, Newcastle NE1 8SB 22-24 June 2018 Newcastle FOR A TOLERANT WORLD WHERE RATIONAL THINKING AND KINDNESS PREVAIL WELCOME Welcome to Humanists UK probed some of the bigger Convention 2018, in the questions about human nature stunning city of Newcastle. We and morality. hope, over this weekend, to be inspired and entertained as One of the most striking we bring together hundreds features of Northumbrian of like-minded people to think, humanism has been its laugh, eat, and discuss ideas outward-looking nature, under one roof. We’re all here exemplifying Harold because we are humanists: Blackham’s maxim that people who shape their own ‘Humanism is about the lives in the here and now. And world, not about humanism.’ as the national organisation The North East Humanists, a for humanists in the UK, it’s partner group of Humanists Humanists UK’s mission to UK originally founded in 1957, in. And you’ll have a chance champion ideas for the one is a great example of this. to ask questions of some of life we have. This weekend The group has been a great the foremost activists working we’ll dive deep into some of supporter of the Isaac Newton to build a fairer, more rational those ideas – and we hope High School in Uganda for society in the UK and around you’ll find the talks, debates, many years now, helping the the world. and entertainment we’ve Ugandan humanists ensure put on both stimulating and that a broad-based, liberal Whether this is your first ever rewarding. -
Some Practical Guidelines for Starting and Running Humanist Groups
Groupwise Some practical guidelines for starting and running Humanist groups Produced for the British Humanist Association First edition 1989 Second edition (revised) 2005 This 2005 edition, which has been revised, renamed and extended by Barrie Berkley of North East Humanists and Jane Wynne Willson of Birmingham Humanists, is also available in electronic form. Details are on the BHA website (www.humanism.org.uk). Thanks are due to members of other Groups and to Jemma Hooper at the BHA for their suggestions and contributions, to William Wynne Willson for the layout and design, and to Birmingham Humanists and North East Humanists for covering the cost of the booklet’s initial production. CONTENTS 1. Introduction 5 2. Starting a new Group 7 3. Preparing a programme 9 4. Officers and committee 11 5. Publicity 13 6. The cost of running a Group 16 7. Welcoming newcomers 18 8. Meetings and speakers 20 9. Social events 23 10. Campaigns and lobbying 24 11. Education and SACREs 26 12. Communicating with your Group 28 13. Practical Humanism 30 14. Affiliations 32 15. Humanist Groups Network 36 16. A sample constitution 38 17. Humanist publications 40 3 4 Introduction This booklet is intended to provide some material and helpful suggestions for those involved in the running of local Humanist Groups. It does not seek to pontificate on how a Group should or should not be run and recognises that Groups can vary in size and structure according to their needs and the people involved in running them. However there is a core of practice that has evolved among well-established Groups over the years. -
Annual Report 2018
challenging religious privilege Annual Report 2018 National Secular Society: Annual Report 2018 The National Secular Society works for the separation of religion and state and equal respect for everyone’s human rights so no one is advantaged or disadvantaged on account of their beliefs. The NSS sees secularism – the position that the state should be separate from religion – as an essential element in promoting equality between all citizens. THE SECULAR CHARTER The National Secular Society campaigns for a secular democracy, where: • There is no established state religion. • Everyone is equal before the law, regardless of religion, belief or non-belief. • The judicial process is not hindered or replaced by religious codes or processes. • Freedom of expression is not restricted by religious considerations. • Religion plays no role in state-funded education, whether through religious affiliation of schools, curriculum setting, organised worship, religious instruction, pupil selection or employment practices. • The state does not express religious beliefs or preferences and does not intervene in the setting of religious doctrine. • The state does not engage in, fund or promote religious activities or practices. • There is freedom of belief, non-belief and to renounce or change religion. • Public and publicly-funded service provision does not discriminate on grounds of religion, belief or non-belief. • Individuals and groups are neither accorded privilege nor disadvantaged because of their religion, belief or non-belief. This report covers the year from 1 October 2017 to 30 September 2018. Message from the president The right to religious freedom is a human right. But ‘religious freedom’ is being redefined by many politically-motivated religious groups to mean more than just the right to worship freely and without interference. -
Annual Report 2017
Annual Report PRIVILEGE RELIGIOUS RELIGIOUS CHALLENGING 2017 National Secular Society Annual Report 2017 The National Secular Society works for the separation of religion and state and equal respect for everyone’s human rights so that no one is either advantaged or disadvantaged on account of their beliefs. The NSS sees secularism – the position that the state should be separate from religion – as an essential element in promoting equality between all citizens. Our campaigning and policy objectives are guided by our Secular Charter. THE SECULAR CHARTER The National Secular Society campaigns for a secular state, where: • There is no established state religion. • Everyone is equal before the law, regardless of religion, belief or non-belief. • The judicial process is not hindered or replaced by religious codes or processes. • Freedom of expression is not restricted by religious considerations. • Religion plays no role in state-funded education, whether through religious affiliation of schools, curriculum setting, organised worship, religious instruction, pupil selection or employment practices. • The state does not express religious beliefs or preferences and does not intervene in the setting of religious doctrine. • The state does not engage in, fund or promote religious activities or practices. • There is freedom of belief, non-belief and to renounce or change religion. • Public and publicly-funded service provision does not discriminate on grounds of religion, belief or non-belief. • Individuals and groups are neither accorded privilege nor disadvantaged because of their religion, belief or non-belief. This report covers the period from 1 October 2016 to 30 September 2017 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT I have thoroughly enjoyed my 17 years on the NSS Council – eleven of which have been as President. -
Joint NGO Statement on Danger of U.N
Joint NGO Statement on Danger of U.N. “Defamation of Religions” Campaign We, the undersigned non-governmental organizations, Deeply concerned by the pervasive and mounting campaign by the Organization of the Is- lamic Conference (OIC) to produce U.N. resolutions, declarations, and world conferences that propagate the concept of “defamation of religions,” a concept having no basis in domestic or international law, and which would alter the very meaning of human rights, which protect individuals from harm, but not beliefs from critical inquiry; Deeply concerned by the attempt to misuse the U.N. to legitimize blasphemy laws, thereby restricting freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and freedom of the press; Deeply concerned that “defamation of religions” resolutions may be used in certain countries to silence and intimidate human rights activists, religious dissenters, and other independent voices; Alarmed by the resolution on “defamation of religions” recently tabled at the current 10th session of the UN Human Rights Council; Alarmed by the draft resolution on freedom of expression circulated by Egypt, whose amend- ments seek to restrict, not promote, protections for free speech; Alarmed by the recently-announced initiative of the U.N. “Ad Hoc Committee on Comple- mentary Standards” to amend the International Convention for the Elimination of Racial Dis- crimination (ICERD) by adding a protocol on “defamation of religions”; Alarmed by provisions in the latest draft outcome document of the Durban Review Confer- ence that, through coded language and veiled references, endorse and encourage these anti- democratic initiatives; 1. Call upon all governments to oppose the “defamation of religions” resolution currently tabled at the UN Human Rights Council, and the objectionable provisions of the freedom of expression resolution; 2. -
Reason Freedom Solidarity
European Humanist 2019 2020 Federation Annual Report REASON FREEDOM SOLIDARITY © European Humanist Federation, 2020 [email protected] www.humanistfederation.eu Twitter : @EU_Humanists Facebook : European.Humanist.Federation OUR VISION & MISSION We work towards the establishment of a more humane society where the many worldviews and life stances can co-exist and people are able to live their lives to the fullest. A world that is rooted in the values of humanism: freedom, equality, solidarity and respect for human dignity. Our mission is to achieve changes in European and international public policies when our values are at stake and to enable humanist organisations to do the same. We provide information, support and advocacy channels to our member organizations. We provide support to European Humanist professionals who promote our values through engagement in education, and non-confessional services, such as humanist ceremonies (weddings, funerals) or moral support. Our work is structured on four strands: European Union As an official partner of the EU under Article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Council of Europe With the participatory status at the Conference of INGOs. OSCE Through participation in the Human Dimension Implementation Meetings (ODIHR). United Nations With the consultative status at the Economic and Social Council of the UN. CONTENTS FOREWORD BY THE PRESIDENT 5 OUR MEMBER ORGANISATIONS 7 OUR PARTNERS: MULTIPLYING OUR IMPACT 8 STRENGTHENING OUR NETWORK 10 DEFENDING FREEDOM OF THOUGHT ACROSS EUROPE 11 CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE AGENDA 14 STANDING BY NON-BELIEVER ASYLUM SEEKERS 16 SAFEGUARDING FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION 19 TOWARDS A MORE SECULAR STATE, IN ALL ITS FORMS 22 RESISTING OBSTACLES TO SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS 26 ADVANCING IN EQUAL RIGHTS FOR LGBTI PEOPLE 30 END-OF-LIFE SELF-DETERMINATION: MOVING FORWARD 32 RESOURCES & PUBLICATIONS AT A GLANCE 33 PROVIDING HUMANIST SERVICES 35 FOREWORD by Giulio Ercolessi Lethal epidemics have exterminated humans for millennia. -
Annual Report 2015
HUMANISM ON THE MOVE 2015 Annual Report EUROPEAN HUMANIST FEDERATION 1 Humanism on the move © European Humanist Federation, 2016 Graphic Designer : Sandy Doutreluingne Photo credit : Joe Shlabotnik via Foter.com / CC BY Campus de la Plaine of the Université Libre de Bruxelles CP 237 Boulevard de la Plaine, 1050 Brussels, Belgium 0032 2 627 68 11 [email protected] www.humanistfederation.eu Twitter : @EU_Humanists Facebook : European.Humanist.Federation HUMANIST VALUES UNDER THREAT ............................................. 4 PROMOTING SECULARISM AND CHALLENGING RELIGIOUS PRIVILEGES IN EUROPE ................................................................... 6 WORKING FOR A BETTER EUROPE ................................................. 9 OPPOSING RELIGIOUS EXTREMIST ACTIVISM ............................. 13 CAMPAIGNING FOR FREE SPEECH AND FIGHTING BLASPHEMY LAWS ......................................................................... 14 SOLIDARITY WITH NON-BELIEVERS UNDER THREAT ACROSS THE WORLD ..................................................................... 16 DEFENDING WOMEN’S RIGHTS, LGBTI’S RIGHTS AND NON-DISCRIMINATION IN EUROPE .................................... 19 PROMOTING HUMANISM AS A LIFE STANCE .............................. 25 PROVIDING HUMANIST SERVICES ................................................ 28 YOUNG HUMANISTS IN ACTION .................................................. 30 FINANCES ........................................................................................ 32 SUPPORT US .................................................................................. -
Siðmennt Styður Framlagt Frumvarp Til Laga Um Almenn Hegningarlög (Guðlast)
SIÐMENNT Félag siðrænna húmanista á íslandi Æsufelli í+, 2F 111 Reykjavík www.sidmennt.is [email protected] Reykjavík, 19. febrúar 2015 Siðmennt styður framlagt frumvarp til laga um almenn hegningarlög (guðlast). Í bréfi sem Siðmennt sendi þingmönnum 16. október 2014 segir meðal annars orðrétt: "9. Lagt er til að 125 gr. í lögum nr. 19/1940 verði afnumin en sú grein fjallar um guðlast Lögin eru óþörf og óviðeigandi. Þau hefta tjáningar- og skoðunarfrelsi fólks. Í könnun sem Pew Research Centre gerði árið 2012 kemur fram að lög gegn guðlasti eru í tæpum fjórðungi ríkja heims og sérstök lög sem banna fólki að skipta um trú (apostasy) eru í 11% ríkja. Mannréttindastofnun Sameinuðu þjóðanna gaf út árið 2012 „Rabat aðgerðaráætlunina" (Rabat plan of Action) um bann við hatursorðræðu á grundvelli þjóðernis, kynþátta eða trúarlegs haturs sem hvetur til mismununar, óvildar eða ofbeldis. Þar er hvatt til þess að lög eða lagaákvæði um guðlast verði afnumin. Oft eru ríki þar sem skortur er á lýðræði og frelsi gagnrýnd fyrir að refsa fólki fyrir guðlast og þá jafnvel með dauðadómi. Þegar þessi ríki eru gagnrýnd benda talsmenn þeirra oft, réttilega, á að sambærileg lög séu einnig í gildi í „vestrænum" lýðræðisríkjum. Því eru það mikilvægt skilaboð til umheimsins að afnema lög um guðlast á Íslandi. Ríki sem beita slíkum lögum með alvarlegum afleiðingum eiga ekki að geta bent til að mynda á Ísland og sagt að svona sé þetta nú líka þar." Afnám 125. greinar laga nr. 19/1940 er því í fullu samræmi við stefnu Siðmenntar í trúfrelsismálum. Virðingarfyllst, Hope Knútsson Formaður Siðmenntar. -
Humanists in Action
2016-2017 Annual Report Humanists in Action European Humanist Federation 1 Humanists in Action Humanists in Action © European Humanist Federation, 2017 Graphic Designer : Sandy Doutreluingne Photo credit : Joe Shlabotnik via Foter.com / CC BY Campus de la Plaine of the Université Libre de Bruxelles CP 237 1050 Brussels, Belgium 0032 2 627 68 11 [email protected] www.humanistfederation.eu Twitter : @EU_Humanists Facebook : European.Humanist.Federation Humanists in Action Content FOREWORD ............................................................................................................................ 4 IN MEMORIAM RAMON CASHA .......................................................................................5 EHF MISSION AND OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................6 PROMOTING SECULARISM IN EUROPE ........................................................................8 CAMPAIGNING FOR A FAIR AND INCLUSIVE EDUCATION SYSTEM ................. 11 DEFENDING FREEDOM OF RELIGION OR BELIEF ................................................. 13 CAMPAIGNING FOR FREE SPEECH AND AGAINST BLASPHEMY LAWS ......... 16 DEFENDING WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN EUROPE ............................................................. 19 © European Humanist Federation, 2017 DISCUSSING INTEGRATION AND THE FUTURE OF EUROPE ............................. 24 Graphic Designer : Sandy Doutreluingne PROMOTING HUMANIST VALUES AND REACHING NEW AUDIENCES ..........27 Photo credit : Joe Shlabotnik via Foter.com -
British Humanist Association Archive (BHA)
British Humanist Association Archive (BHA) ©Bishopsgate Institute Catalogued by Nicky Hilton July 2014 1 Table of Contents Table of Contents p.2 Collection Level Description p.3 BHA/1: British Humanist Association Papers p.6 BHA/1/1: Congress Minutes and Papers p.7 BHA/1/2: Council and Executive Committee Minutes and Papers p.9 BHA/1/3: Committee Minutes and Papers p.15 BHA/1/4: Mixed Minutes, Agendas and Papers of the Committees p.35 BHA/1/5: Annual Reports p.42 BHA/1/6: Financial p.44 BHA/1/7: Legal p.45 BHA/1/8: Administration p.47 BHA/1/9: Humanist Council p.99 BHA/1/10: Humanist Counselling Group p.104 BHA/1/11: Humanist Housing Association p.111 BHA/1/12: Humanist Broadcasting Council p.112 BHA/1/13: Modern Religious Thinkers Committee and Conference p.117 BHA/1/14: Papers of Individual Members and Humanists p.118 BHA/1/15: Images and Audio p.130 BHA/1/16: Events and Conferences p.145 BHA/1/17: Interests and Campaign Activities p.155 BHA/1/18: Parliamentary Humanist Group p.197 BHA/1/19: Humanist Philosophers' Group p.198 BHA/2: Humanist Trust and Voltaire Lecture Fund p.199 BHA/2/1: Minutes p.200 BHA/2/2: Deeds p.201 BHA/2/3: Administrative Papers p.202 BHA/2/4: Financial Papers p.207 BHA/2/5: Voltaire Lectures Fund p.210 BHA/3: Affiliated Groups p.212 BHA/3/1: The City and University of York Humanist Society p.213 BHA/3/2: Flyde and Blackpool Humanists p.214 BHA/3/3: Hampstead Ethical Institute p.216 BHA/3/4: London Young Humanists p.217 BHA/3/5: Secular Education League p.218 BHA/3/6: Sheffield Ethical Society p.220 BHA/3/7: