International Humanist and Ethical Union
Humanists rally for free expression
The International Humanist and Ethical Union has joined with its member organization One Law for All to hold a Rally for Free Expression in London on 11 February. The rally was organized to respond to the recent spate of attacks on free speech in the UK, including threats and censorship directed at Humanist student groups at the University of London (see IHEU stories at http://www.iheu.org/humanists-condemn-another-attack-atheist-expression-london-university and at http://www.iheu.org/threats-violence-force-cancellation-university-talk-sharia-law). -->
Position announcement: Communications Officer
An excellent opportunity for an experienced Communications Officer has arisen within the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), the world union of Humanist and other non-religious organizations. -->
International Humanists protest Indonesia blasphemy arrest
The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is calling for the Indonesian government to guarantee the freedom and safety of Alexander Aan, an Indonesian arrested for blasphemy. IHEU -- the global union of more than 100 Humanist and atheist groups from 40 countries including Indonesia -- has also raised Aan’s case with the United Nations. Aan was arrested for blasphemy last week in Dharmasraya, in the province of West Sumatra. -->
Humanists condemn another attack on atheist expression at London University
Yet another Humanist student group in London is being threatened with censorship for talking about Islam. The London School of Economics (LSE) Student Union has instructed the LSE Student Union Atheist, Secularist and Humanist Society (LSESU ASH) to remove cartoons featuring Jesus and Mohammed from their Facebook page. It is the third instance this month of free speech being threatened at a London college. -->
Threats of violence force cancellation of London University talk on sharia law
A meeting at the University of London had to be cancelled yesterday after threats of religious violence. The talk on ‘Sharia Law and Human Rights’ was organized by the Atheism, Secularism and Humanism Society at Queens College. -->
UK Government agrees to not fund creationist schools
The British Humanist Association (BHA) has welcomed the British government’s decision to not fund schools that teach creationism or are run by creationist groups. The Department of Education issued a new revision of the model funding agreement for Free Schools in order to preclude "the teaching, as an evidence-based view or theory, of any view or theory that is contrary to established scientific and/or historical evidence and explanations" The change follows the BHA coordinating the ‘Teach evolution, not creationism!’ campaign, which called for this precise change. -->
American courts give good and bad news for Humanists
Two court decisions announced this week have received contrasting responses from American Humanists. A decision ordering the removal of a religious banner from a state school in Rhode Island was applauded by Humanists, whereas a Supreme Court decision to exempt religious groups from laws against employment discrimination was strongly criticized. -->
Nigerian witch hunter Helen Ukpabio bringing "gospel of hate" to the US
In March, Nigeria's notorious witch hunter, Helen Ukpabio, is organising a “Deliverance Session” in the United States, according to infomation posted on the web site of the Liberty Gospel Church. The event is slated for March 14-25 at Liberty Gospel Church in Houston, Texas. The program is said to be “12 days of battling with the spirit for freedom.” -->
New Resource for World Humanist Day
Happy Solstice! We are half a year away from World Humanist Day on June 21. This is an ideal time to start thinking about how to create a successful World Humanist Day event. And to help Humanist groups and individuals do that, IHEU has created a new suite of World Humanist Day resource pages on its website at: http://www.iheu.org/world-humanist-day-overview -->
Humanists and Atheists Mourn Christopher Hitchens
The outspoken atheist Christopher Hitchens died Thursday, December 15, at the age of 63, after battling esophageal cancer. Humanist groups and atheist activists around the world are paying tribute to the life and work of the prolific writer. -->
From the UN: International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, November 25, 2011
The Charter of the United Nations affirms faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human individual and in the equal rights of men and women. In 1979 the General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Although this convention sets forth the responsibility of all governments, it is yet to be observed with the necessary political commitment and resources. -->
EHF General Assembly and Conference: 24-27 May 2012: Utrecht, Netherlands
On the last weekend of May 2012 the Humanistisch Verbond (Humanist Association, Netherlands) will host the annual EHF conference and General Assembly in Utrecht. The Humanist Association will be working closely with the Dutch Humanist Alliance of humanist organisations in the Netherlands and the European Humanist Professionals (EHP). -->
e-youthspeak now available for download
The November & December issue of the International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organization (IHEYO) magazine, e-youthspeak, is now available for download. IHEYO is the youth wing of the International Humanist and Ethical Union.
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Pink Humanist launches
The gay Humanist charity the Pink Triangle Trust (PTT) has re-launched its online magazine with a new title, The Pink Humanist. The UK-based magazine aims to reach a global audience of freethinkers through its website at http://www.thepinkhumanist.com. -->
Council prayers challenged
Public prayer will no longer be part of local authority council meetings in England and Wales, if the National Secular Society (NSS) wins a case that began at the High Court on Friday, 2 December. About half of local government councils in England say prayers as part of their meetings. -->
Catholic Church costs Italy six billion Euros a year
Six billion euros. That's how much the Catholic Church costs Italy every year, according to the first detailed investigation of the impact of state support and tax privileges received by the Church. The findings by Italy’s Union of Rationalist Atheists and Agnostics (UAAR), a member organization of the International Humanist and Ethical Union, were published the day after Italy’s new government announced a budget filled with new taxes and drastic spending cuts. -->
Humanists condemn Nigeria's anti-gay bill
Humanist organizations from Nigeria and across the world are condemning Nigeria's Senate for passing a bill that would criminalise same-sex marriage, outlaw LGBT advocacy groups, and even ban displays of amorous affection between people of the same sex. -->
British Humanist statement in support of World AIDS Day
Naomi Phillips, head of public affairs for the British Humanist Association (BHA), said, “The BHA aims to lend its support to significant initiatives to meet global challenges. For us, World AIDS Day is such an initiative, where uniting in the fight against HIV must begin with accepting scientific evidence for the basis and treatment of HIV/AIDS, and acknowledging human responsibility and endeavour as the way to reduce harm, to prevent unnecessary suffering and deaths, and to combat prejudice and discrimination. -->
Statement by IHEU following the 36th Session of the General Conference of UNESCO
Founded in the same year as UNESCO, by Julian Huxley and Bertrand Russell, the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) wishes to reaffirm its commitment to the goals of UNESCO. IHEU welcomes the outline of the resolutions adopted and notably the sustained efforts towards universal literacy, to defend and conserve natural landscapes and cultural heritage, education, the sciences, culture, communication and the freedom of expression of information".
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Humanists Launch "Naughty" Awareness Campaign; Billboards and newspaper ads to appear in towns that have discriminated against atheists
The American Humanist Association is launching a holiday advertisement campaign aimed to raise awareness of discrimination against nonbelievers in America. The billboards and full-page newspaper ads contain the message, “Bias Against Atheists is Naughty, Not Nice,” and features Santa Claus making up his “naughty” list. The ads are placed in cities across the United States where atheists have experienced discrimination due to their lack of belief in a traditional god. -->
