E. Onur C. Romano
I come from a Muslim majority country. I have personally experienced persecution simply because I am an atheist. For me Canada has been a safe harbour, and CFIC a welcome port in the storm.
My experiences make me passionate about helping individuals who are being persecuted simply because they do not believe in a god. I am deeply concerned about the recent increase of religious infringement on human rights. Around the world, politics are being heavily influenced by religious fundamentalism. We must be vigilant about the erosion of hard-earned secular values in Canada especially when we witness people being persecuted based on the tenets of religion.
Globally there are thousands of people fleeing violence and death simply because of their belief system (or lack thereof,) and more people living a lie in order to avoid such persecution.
Around the world there are 71 countries in which blasphemy remains a crime and 6 countries in which blasphemy is punishable by death (Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Brunei, Mauritania and Saudi Arabia.)
Over the past several years CFIC has supported “Omer” a Pakistani apostate who was tortured and feared for his life before fleeing to Nepal as a refugee. There are thousands of “Omers” throughout the world. I am proud to be associated with CFIC who is helping one of them.
If you are interested in learning more about the plight of blasphemers throughout the world, please join us on December 10, 2024, as we present the 6th annual Protecting Blasphemers event. Although the event is free to attend, you are invited to make a tax-receipted donation. All funds raised during this event will go directly to supporting Omer.
CFIC’s commitment to Human Rights is why I volunteer my time with CFIC. I also donate monthly to support Omer and to help CFIC. It is important to me to ensure that CFIC can continue to be a beacon for human rights, here at home and internationally. Please give generously so CFIC can help apostates. I will personally be making an extra one-time donation in December because there is much work to be done. I hope you will join me.
E. Onur C. Romano
Human Rights Chair
Centre for Inquiry Canada
Why not all human rights ? Why do you focus on apostasy?
CFIC supports all Human Rights. We do focus on human rights that are directly relevant to secularism. This means that in our international work, we support refugees who are being persecuted because they are atheists. Closer to home we advocate for all human rights, but we are especially focused on human rights that are often violated due to tenets of religion. Consequently we have advocated for women’s reproductive rights, for the right to access Medical Assistance in Dying and for the rights of the LGBTQ+ populations.
“CFIC’s commitment to Human Rights is why I volunteer my time with CFIC. ”
Not all human rights are fought for by CFIC
I disagree