Wales Humanists calls for religious and non-religious equality in public life

19 August, 2020

Wales Humanists has called upon the Welsh Government to address religious discrimination in schools and other public services in a consultation on strengthening human rights and equality across Wales.

Wales Humanists highlighted religious selection in admissions policies, the continuation of compulsory Christian worship in Welsh schools, and a lack of pastoral support for non-religious people in hospitals and prisons, as key areas where religious discrimination remains prevalent and should be considered a priority in order to strengthen the right to freedom of religion or belief. At the same time, Wales Humanists praised the progress made by the Welsh Government to make Religious Education (soon to be renamed Religion, Values, and Ethics) more inclusive and allow parents to request an alternative to faith-based RE in religious schools.

Wales Humanists also called for humanists to be represented on the Welsh Government’s Faith Communities Forum, a body established in 2001 to help improve relations between the major faith community group. Despite 58% of the Welsh population describing themselves as non-religious according to the latest British Social Attitudes Survey, there is currently no non-religious representation, meaning non-religious voices are not being heard on key community issues.

Humanists UK’s Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson commented, ‘We have worked closely and productively with the Welsh Government to strengthen equality and human rights, including to develop an inclusive RE curriculum and improving children’s rights. However, in schools and other public services such as hospitals and prisons, non-religious people are still disadvantaged by institutional discrimination. Non-religious patients and prisoners should have equal access to pastoral care as their religious counterparts do through chaplaincy services, and children should not be denied access to a quality education because of the beliefs of their parents. Therefore, there is still a lot to be done to ensure that the right to freedom fo religion or belief is fully realised for all.’

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For further comment or information, please contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 020 7324 3072 or 020 3675 0959.

Read the consultation response here: https://humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020-08-07-RTR-Advancing-Equality-and-Human-Rights-in-Wales.pdf

Read more about Wales Humanists: https://humanists.uk/wales/

Wales Humanists is a part of Humanists UK. Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 85,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.