Humanists protest death penalties for atheism
Roy Brown, Main Representative of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), spoke to the UN Human Rights Council yesterday, protesting against slavery in states like Mauretania, and laws against “apostasy” in states like the Maldives.
We are deeply concerned by the continuation, with apparent impunity, of traditional forms of slavery in several States, despite laws prohibiting the practice. In particular, we urge the government of Mauretania, now that it has become a member of this Council, to ensure that its recently enacted laws against slavery are actually given effect and used to release the estimated 600,000 slaves still being held in bondage in that country.
We also continue to be dismayed by the state-sponsored, institutionalized hatred of non-believers in certain States. We note that at least three member States of this Council have laws in place that prescribe the death penalty for those who declare themselves to be non-believers. Those countries, sadly, include the Maldives, newly elected to this Council.
Two weeks ago, Mr Mohammed Nazim, a Maldivian, said in a public meeting that “although he had been taught about Islam he was unable to believe”. He is now in custody and facing calls for his death[ footnote: http://www.realcourage.org/2010/05/mohamed-nazim/ ]. We call on the government of the Maldives to release him immediately, and to allow him to seek asylum elsewhere, because his life is now definitely at risk.
http://www.iheu.org/slavery-and-non-belief
Mr Brown also spoke yesterday on the rights of women, including reproductive rights and maternal mortality.
I wonder how many tourists are aware of these human rights abuses or consider them when they book a holiday.
And what will the UN do? Probably nothing, as usual, because it is toothless. It has no real power, If it had, would Mugabe still be there? Sarah has a point. We should be encouraging the tour operators to take the Maldives off their books (as if they would…too much cash at stake).