Dangers of rising populism highlighted in latest Freedom of Thought Report

7 December, 2016

country-index-2016A rise in ‘nationalistic populism’ across the world represents a growing threat to the non-religious, as it ushers in a new era of ‘traditionalist and religious authoritarianism’. That is the conclusion of the 2016 Freedom of Thought Report, an annual report produced by the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), which has just been published. The British Humanist Association (BHA) contributed to the report, which has moved to an entirely online format for the first time, and has expressed concern about the trend towards demagoguery seen in 2016.

The report highlights ongoing concerns in such diverse countries as Hungary, Poland, Turkey, Egypt, the Philippines, the United States, India, Bulgaria, and Moldova, and outlines how ‘nationalistic populism’ often goes hand in hand with ‘religious authoritarianism’.

For the first time each country’s profile is featured on its own webpage, making its findings more accessible than ever before. The report also features a foreword by Dr Ahmed Shaheed, the new United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, who writes that, ‘I am deeply distressed by the rising intolerance related to religion or belief worldwide. Global trends clearly show a resurgence of religiously motivated action in the public square. While this phenomenon in and of itself, should not be a problem, it can become a challenge where it is accompanied by claims of religious privilege.’

Shaheed rails against the countries with blasphemy and apostasy laws and notes how these laws are often used against the non-religious, before highlighting individuals’ cases such as Raif Badawi in Saudi Arabia, Mohamed Cheikh Ould M’kheitir in Mauritania, and the ongoing persecution of Bangladesh’s humanist bloggers.

BHA Chief Executive Andrew Copson, who is also the President of IHEU, commented, ‘This is a tremendous development for the Report, and it comes at a crucial juncture in world affairs. The rights and equality of the non-religious are under threat and there is an upsurge in the suppression of humanist values more broadly. Serious damage is being done to the brand of democracy, to secularism, and there are new threats to all our liberties.

‘We will be taking up this report’s findings with the UK Government to urge it to put pressure on countries around the world to reform their laws and protect the rights of the non-religious. It is vital that the freedoms of religion and belief and speech, thought, and expression are defended.’

Notes

For media inquiries, please contact: Pavan Dhaliwal Director of Public Affairs and Policy, on 0773 843 5059 or email pavan@humanists.uk.

Read the report: http://freethoughtreport.com/

Read IHEU’s press release: http://iheu.org/new-online-edition-of-the-freedom-of-thought-report-launched-today/

Read more about the BHA’s work on international campaigns: https://humanists.uk/campaigns/international-campaigns/

The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.