Category: Human Rights

End Blasphemy Laws Now!

January 30, 2015December 9, 2015 NED

A World Movement to End Blasphemy Laws Launches in 2015

On December 22, 2014, CFI Canada and Humanist Canada met with Ambassador Andrew Bennett of Canada’s Office of Religious Freedom. During that meeting CFI Canada brought Canada’s blasphemous libel law to the agenda and communicated our view that this law is dangerous, problematic and hypocritical for the Canadian government to retain. This first meeting soon led to partnerships across Canada and internationally! CFI Canada is proud to be a co-founder of a new anti-blasphemy coalition (ICABL).

Now hundreds of international organizations are calling for the removal of blasphemy laws wherever they exist. Association humaniste du Quebec, Atheist Alliance International, Atheist Ireland, BC Humanist Association, Centre For Inquiry Canada, Humanist Society of New Zealand, International Humanist and Ethical Union and a growing list of organizations have formed a coalition to oppose all global blasphemy laws.

To visit the world’s biggest anti-blasphemy coalition and campaigns visit the End Blasphemy Laws website and find out how you can help.

Read More “End Blasphemy Laws Now!” »

Announcement, Human Rights

Help stop the flogging of Raif Badawi

January 13, 2015April 6, 2015 Centre for Inquiry Canada Ottawa 1 Comment

photo: Diane Bruce — Across from the Saudi Embassy

Join CFI Ottawa with Amnesty International and other human rights groups to protest the flogging of Raif Badawi.

When: 4:00pm every Thursday (until Raif is released)
Where: Across the street from the Saudi Embassy, 201 Sussex Dr

Last week’s flogging was again cancelled. No reason has been given. The weekly protests at the Saudi Embassy will continue until Badawi is released.

19 Feb free raif protest

If you can’t join us please sign the petition spr.ly/6012x3oj and invite others!

Announcement, Human Rights

Raif Badawi

January 8, 2015June 19, 2015 info 1 Comment

January 8, 2015: CFI Canada has received information from Ensaf Haidar that her husband, Raif Badawi, is expected to receive lashes on January 9. Ms. Haidar informs CFIC that “the lashing order says Raif should be lashed severely”. Raif Badawi was imprisoned for insulting Islam by the Saudi government.

CFI Canada condemns the Saudi government for its barbaric and horrifying intention to torture Raif Badawi. Kevin Smith, CFI Canada’s Chair said, ” It is terrible and horrifying that one day after the murders of people at Charlie Hebdo, a person will begin a punishment of 1000 lashes for expressing his thoughts on a blog.”

CFIC urges Canadians to express their outrage and condemnation to the Government of Canada. Eric Adriaans, National Executive Director of CFI Canada said, “Freedom of speech is under threat by religious extremists. Faith-based terrorists are attacking and killing journalists and cartoonists while governments use cruel blasphemy laws to torture their citizens. It is time the Canadian government actively opposed blasphemy laws and the brutality and violence they precipitate. The Canadian government should start by calling for the immediate release of Raif Badawi and by abandoning Canada’s own blasphemy law, Criminal Code Section 296.”

Should you wish to express your concern to the Canadian government:

Contact info for Rob Nicholson, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs:http://www.robnicholsonmp.ca/contact/ ;

Find the contact information for your MP via postal code here: http://www.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/HouseofCommons/MemberByPostalCode.aspx?Menu=HOC

Canada’s Office of Religious Freedom

December 23, 2014October 27, 2019 info 1 Comment

Centre For Inquiry Canada continues to develop forward-thinking relationships to provide support and assistance for Canadian and international secular humanists. On December 22, 2014, Kevin Smith (Chair of the Board of Directors) and Eric Adriaans (National Executive Director) invited Eric Thomas (President of Humanist Canada) to participate in CFI Canada’s second meeting with Ambassador Andrew Bennett of Canada’s Office of Religious Freedom (ORF).

CFI Canada and Humanist Canada (HC) share many concerns regarding the welfare and human rights of atheists, humanists and secular humanists. Eric Thomas, of HC commented: “it was evident that collective and concerted effort towards the development of “human dignity” on the international stage is a shared objective. The Humanist Canada focus on an inclusive perspective as part of its educational mandate is well served by participating with the Office of Religious Freedom led by Ambassador Bennett. We are committed to the development of new venues as active partners. The Humanist Canada Board and its national membership sincerely appreciate the opportunity to participate.

CFIC had previously met with Ambassador Bennett in the Spring of 2013 to discuss the mandate of the ORF and CFIC’s position that atheists and non-believers must be provided the same protections as religious minorities when facing persecution by religious governmental regimes. Since that meeting, CFIC has been pleased to observe Ambassador Bennett’s support of CFI’s work to support Raif Badawi at the United Nations Human Rights Council (CFI Transnational’s Michael DeDora advocacy work of June 2014) as well as his comments on the subject of freedom from religion:

Announcement, Human Rights, office of religious freedom

Atheist Bloggers Risking Their Lives

October 10, 2014March 19, 2015 info

atheist bloggers risk their lives: what can we do?

Article Submitted by: Jesse Cnockaert

Sometimes, the difference between accepting or denying a person seeking asylum is a matter of life and death, which is why Centre for Inquiry Canada (CFIC) is taking a hard look at the way Canada treats these cases, to reduce the number of people turned away unfairly.

CFI Canada is embarking on a two-year project to research into current legislation dealing with asylum seekers and refugee claimants of different sexuality, religious/non-religious, racial, and cultural backgrounds.

Our goals are:

to question the rationality, and the fairness, of current legislation in the way it treats asylum seekers who are at the highest risk of having their cases denied because of an immigration prosecutor’s personal bias, instead of the facts.
to educate Canadians about the facts of free-thought as a life-risking activity
to mobilize the Canadian secular community to provide support and information to those who risk their lives by speaking their minds

Sexual minorities, generally referred to as LGBTI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Individuals) as well as atheist or agnostic individuals may be the most vulnerable individuals.

Non-religious people are discriminated against, or face outright persecution, in most countries of the world, according to the Freedom of Thought Report 2013 (1) prepared by the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU). The report, the first of its kind, focused specifically on human rights, legal status and discrimination against humanists, atheists and non-religious people in every country on earth.

The report shows blasphemy can lead to a prison sentence in 39 countries, six of which are western countries.

There are also 13 countries where being an atheist can result in a death sentence.

Announcement, Human Rights