The Humanist Association of Germany (HVD) recommends reading the Freedom of Thought Report to all decision-makers in the Federal Government and the Bundestag, in high courts as well as in the Federal Foreign Office. Erwin Kress, spokesman of the board of the HVD Federal Association, emphasizes: “Freedom of belief and freedom from a belief are more than freedom of thought. They are the prerequisite for freedom of profession, for freedom of teaching and science, for freedom of speech and much more.”
The President of Humanists International, Andrew Copson, explains: “This year’s Freedom of Thought Report once again makes for grim reading. In it, we describe the discrimination that humanists and other non-religious people continue to face for daring to express their worldview and attempt to live according to their conscience.”
The report states that humanists are discriminated against in 144 countries around the world. The forms of discrimination and disadvantage are manifold:
- There is a state religion in 39 countries around the world.
- State legislation is derived in whole or in part from religious law in 35 countries.
- Government representatives or state agencies in 12 countries harass non-religious people or openly incite hatred or violence against them.
- Blasphemy remains a punishable offense in at least 83 countries worldwide, among which the death penalty can be imposed in 6 countries.
- Apostasy from the official faith is a criminal offense in 17 countries, punishable by death in 12 of them.
- Discriminatory financing of religion exists in 79 countries.
- The use of religious courts in family or moral matters exists in 19 countries.
- In 26 countries, non-religious people are not allowed to hold at least some offices.
- State-funded schools in 33 countries have compulsory religious education with no secular or humanist alternative.
- In 16 countries it is difficult or illegal to organize openly in a humanist way.
The publication of the report coincides with the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the UN General Assembly Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief.
The road ahead is still rocky and long.
The 10th Freedom of Thought Report can be downloaded here as a PDF or can be found on the website of Humanists International.
