Join Young Humanists UK and Young Humanists International for a discussion about campaigning and efforts to repeal blasphemy laws in Europe, on 28 October at 18:30 (UK time), as part of European Young Humanist Month.

A panel of expert speakers will lead an interactive discussion on the current state of blasphemy laws, both worldwide and in Europe. The panel will also examine how campaigns can change the law in European countries; with a particular focus on a new partnership between European Young Humanists and Humanists UK focused on campaigning to repeal blasphemy laws in Northern Ireland.

All are welcome to attend and there will be plenty of opportunities to put your questions to the speakers, as well as chatting with fellow attendees.

To reserve a space for you and your household, please please register. We will be using Zoom and a link will be emailed to you ahead of the event. Please note that this event will be recorded.

Speakers

Giovanni Gaetani joined Humanists International in January 2017, first as Growth & Development Officer and then as International Development Manager. Since 2019, he has overseen the Humanists International’s Growth & Development Plan, focusing on the support of the existing Members and Associates, the creation of media and membership resources, and the expansion of the humanist network in those areas of the world where Humanists International is underrepresented.

Rachel Taggart-Ryan is the Campaigns Officer at Humanists UK. Her work covers a wide range of issues in Public Affairs and Policy including protecting freedom of expression. She leads Humanists UK's campaign to repeal the blasphemy laws in Northern Ireland, establishing support from most of the major political parties and has worked with Humanist Society Scotland to do the same in Scotland. She has also called for the repeal of the blasphemy laws globally at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Hari Parekh is a Trainee Clinical Psychologist at the University of Liverpool. He has a first-class honours degree in Psychology and Criminology from the University of Northampton and an MSc in Forensic and Criminological Psychology from the University of Nottingham. Hari was formerly the President of Humanist Students and is currently the Volunteers Manager for Faith to Faithless. He is also the Chair of European Young Humanists, as part of Young Humanists International. Hari has published his MSc thesis on ‘Apostates as a Hidden Population of Abuse Victims’ – the first publication to highlight the worldwide abuse of apostates within religious households, which was published by the Journal of Interpersonal Violence.