IRFBA Statement on the Non-Religious

As members, friends, and observers of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance, we express deep concern about the persecution of atheists, humanists, non-practicing and non-affiliated individuals for exercising their freedom of conscience. We reiterate that Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights provides for the right of individuals to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, or belief, and as part of that right to hold non-religious beliefs. General Comment 22 states, “Article 18 protects theistic, non-theistic and atheistic beliefs, as well as the right not to profess any religion or belief. The terms ‘belief’ and ‘religion’ are to be broadly construed… The Committee observes that the freedom to ‘have or to adopt’ a religion or belief necessarily entails the freedom to choose a religion or belief, including the right to replace one’s current religion or belief with another or to adopt atheistic views.” The former UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief noted a high level of repression and persecution faced by atheists, humanists and non-practicing and non-affiliated individuals.

Globally, many countries have laws that deny humanists, atheists and agnostics their right to hold non-religious beliefs, revoke their citizenship, restrict their right to marry, obstruct their access to public education, and prevent them working for the state or holding public office.

We also note with deep concern that criticism of religious faith, academic study of the origins of religions or simply being non-religious is treated as a crime in some countries, and may carry the death penalty. In this regard, we recall the IRFBA Statement on Blasphemy and Related Offences and note that at least 13 states have the death penalty for blasphemy or apostasy; with even more seeing people murdered as a result of mob violence or individual vigilantism. Threats to the rights of non-religious individuals can come from a wide range of sources, from individuals and non-state actors to government authorities, and this suppression makes it impossible to be openly or legally non-religious in many cases. They languish in prison cells, under house arrest, or even in internment camps. Others have simply vanished. Among these is atheist and humanist Mubarak Bala. We join international calls for him to be pardoned.

We call on states to:

Begin the process to repeal laws against blasphemy, apostasy, and atheism, and to release those who have been convicted or detained under them, along with any other humanists, atheists or non-religious individuals who have been convicted or detained because of their beliefs.

Hold accountable those who commit violent crimes – such as enacting vigilante justice and mob violence – against humanists, against the non-religious, and against those accused of so-called blasphemy or apostasy.

Ensure the equal protection of humanists and the non-religious under law, so that their civil and human rights are respected and protected, regardless of their beliefs, and ensure humanists are not subjected to religious courts, including religious family courts.

End discrimination against humanists and the non-religious by allowing individuals holding these beliefs equal citizenship rights, including the ability to establish and register non-governmental organizations, to identify officially as non-religious when religion is part of a citizen identity document, to marry legally outside of religious structures, and to pass their beliefs on to their children.

Secure the right to freedom of religion or belief, including the right to hold non-religious beliefs on an equal basis with religious belief, through the enactment of national legislation, and integrate the promotion of freedom of religion or belief within a broader human rights framework, so as to help promote an environment where humanist, atheistic and non-religious views can be freely expressed.

Embed inclusivity of the non-religious in human rights work by improving the religion and belief literacy of ministers, public officials, and civil servants through awareness raising and training programs.

Signatories: Australia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Israel, The Netherlands, Poland, Republic of Kosovo, Slovakia, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and the United States.