New Report Details Global Crackdown On Atheists and Secularists

The United Nations this week heard of rising abuse against atheists, agnostics, and secularists around the world. A report on this abuse, including executions, was given to a panel including Pakistan, Mauritania and Maldives which impose the death penalty on blasphemers. Turkey used the opportunity to call for the protection of “people of faith.”

We have previously discussed how even Western leaders have demonized secularists and atheists.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) presented a report on how governments are imposing the death penalty on atheists in countries including Afghanistan, Iran, Maldives, Mauritania, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Sudan.

Here is the IHEU report: IHEU Freedom of Thought 2012

The report fell on deaf ears. Delegates instead are focusing on what they insist is the crime of criticizing Islam. The 57-nation Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) demanded a new international blasphemy law — an effort that has been encouraged by the Obama Administration.

Atheists remain one of the most demonized groups in the world, including in this country. With whole countries advancing single religions, I fail to see the threat to people of faith as a priority at the United Nations. The priority is to call for the end of all blasphemy and apostasy as a basic protection of free speech, free association, and . . . yes . . . freedom of religion.

Source: Yahoo