The Economist highlights IHEU role in defending freedom of expression
The Economist has featured IHEU's spirited defence of freedom of expression at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. In an article in the latest issue, "Diplomacy, Faith and Freedom"
<http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=13416209>
the magazine highlights the statement coordinated by IHEU
<http://www.iheu.org/urgent-appeal-humanist-organizations-support-freedom-expression-oppose-defamation-religions>
and signed by over 200 NGOs. Read more
<http://www.iheu.org/node/3558>
Human Rights Council Resolution "Combating Defamation of Religion"
More than 200 civil society organizations from 46 countries, including Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Secular, Humanist and Atheist groups, have endorsed a statement jointly sponsored by IHEU, UN Watch, Freedom House and the Becket Fund for Religious Freedom, urging member
states of the UN Human Rights Council to reject the resolution: "Combating Defamation of Religions" due to be voted on in Geneva on 26 March 2009. Read more <http://www.iheu.org/node/3554>
First "World Conference on Untouchability" to be held in London, 9-10 June 2009
IHEU is organizing the first "World Conference on Untouchability" at Conway Hall Humanist Centre, London, UK, on June 9 and 10, 2009. The conference will bring together activists and experts from around the world to explore a problem that afflicts nearly 250 million people in countries from Japan to Nigeria. Read more
<http://www.iheu.org/node/3541>
Support victims of the worst religious bigotry
Imagine that because of your birth you are only allowed to do one job: cleaning up human excrement. Imagine being born into a group that is never allowed to mix with the rest of society. In India, they used to be called "Untouchables" and are now known as "Dalits". They are, in the most literal sense, outcastes. They have been historically excluded from human society, and deprived of the most basic opportunities. Read more <http://www.iheu.org/node/3550>
IHEU speaks out at the UN Human Rights Council
In a series of statements to the UN Human Rights Council, IHEU has repeated its opposition to the concept of "defamation of religions"
<http://www.iheu.org/node/3544>
spoken out against the continued existence of slavery in Africa
<http://www.iheu.org/node/3545>
condemned the practice of female genital mutilation
<http://www.iheu.org/node/3546>
and highlighted hate speech <http://www.iheu.org/node/3547>
in Egyptian religious broadcasts. Read more
<http://www.iheu.org/node/3548>
Leo Igwe condemns Anglican Archbishop's homophobic outburst
IHEU's International Representative in West Africa has roundly condemned the latest homophobic outburst from the country's Anglican Archbishop. Archbishop Peter Akinola, the champion of Anglican conservatives worldwide, wants all witnesses to gay weddings to be sentenced to a year in jail. Read more <http://www.iheu.org/node/3543>
IHEU discusses freedom of speech with UK Foreign Office
IHEU met top officials at the UK Foreign Office in London on 12 March 2009. IHEU requested the meeting to discuss concerns about the effectiveness of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), to explore recent challenges to freedom of expression and to assess what best can be done to improve the protection and promotion of Human Rights. Read more <http://www.iheu.org/node/3542>
UN publishes IHEU statment: child marriage is child abuse
In a new written statement to the UN Human Rights Council, IHEU has
called the continuation of child marriage, 55 years after the UN General Assembly resolved to abolish the practice, "a disgrace to the entire human rights movement". Read more
<http://www.iheu.org/node/3540>
IHEU condemns child marriage and executions of children
IHEU has strongly condemned the execution of children in Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Yemen and Pakistan and the practice of child marriage. In a statement to the annual meeting on the Rights of the Child held at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, IHEU called the continuation of child marriage "a disgrace" and judicial killing of children "the ultimate barbarity". Read more <http://www.iheu.org/node/3538>
One Law for All - anti-racist march and rally report
Maryam Namazie writes: Nearly 600 people joined the One Law for All anti-racist rally against Sharia and religious-based laws in Britain and elsewhere and in defence of citizenship and universal rights in Trafalgar Square and marched towards Red Lion Square in London. Hundreds then joined our public meeting to discuss and debate Sharia, Sexual Apartheid and Women's Rights. Our protest was met with widespread support and left many feeling inspired and invigorated. It was also covered by the mainstream media, including BBC Radio 4, BBC 5Live, BBC Wales, and the Times. Read more
<http://www.iheu.org/node/3536>
Award for Leo Igwe, IHEU representative for West Africa
Nigerian Humanist leader Leo Igwe and his Humanist colleagues have been awarded the Rainbow Humanist Award by Nordic Rainbow Humanists for their risky public support of LGBT rights in Nigeria. Read more
<http://www.iheu.org/node/3535>
IHEU President expresses concern over euthanasia arrests in US
The debate over voluntary euthanasia in the United States has been thrust back into the headlines by the arrest of four people by authorities in the state of Georgia. Four members of the Final Exit Network were arrested on Feb. 25 and charged with assisting in a suicide and other offenses, including violating Georgia's RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act. Read more
<http://www.iheu.org/node/3534>
Notice of IHEU General Assembly 2009
The IHEU General Assembly 2009 will be held on Sunday 7th June 2009 (9.30 am to 5.30 pm) and Monday 8th June 2009 (9.30 am to 12.30 pm), at Conway Hall, London, United Kingdom. The deadline to register to attend the GA is 4 May 2009. Read more <http://www.iheu.org/node/3403>
New IHEU Bylaws proposed
The IHEU General Assembly in London in June 2009 will vote on new Bylaws proposed by the Executive Committee. Read more
<http://www.iheu.org/node/3557>
UN celebrates 20 years of children's rights
Sophie Erskine, IHEU's new intern at the UN Human Rights Council,reports on the annual full-day debate on the Rights of the Child held on 11 March 2009: The debate, held in the United Nation's dignified 'Salle des Alliances des Civilisations', began cheerfully, as the Human Rights Council celebrated the 20th birthday of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Read more <http://www.iheu.org/node/3539>
Libre Pensee issues press releases
IHEU member organization Libre Pensee Francaise has issued press releases on recognition of Vatican diplomats by France, and on dying with dignity. Read more <http://www.iheu.org/node/3533>
IHEU at the UN, New York: World Day of Social Justice and the economic crisis
The extraordinarily timely World Day of Social Justice recently established by the UN builds on the idea expressed by Adam Smith that economic success depends on the wellbeing of people: "prudence is a virtue for individuals", but "humanity, justice, generosity and public spirit are the qualities most useful to others." Read more
<http://www.iheu.org/node/3537>
Happy Birthday to the Vatican!
IHEU member organization the French Libre Pensée has sent Pope Benedict XVI ironic congratulations on the 80th anniversary of the foundation of the Vatican State by the fascist dictator Benito Mussolini and Pope Pius XI. Read more <http://www.iheu.org/node/3530>
--
International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is the world umbrella organisation for Humanist, ethical culture, rationalist, secularist and freethought groups. Based in London, it is an international NGO with Special Consultative Status with the UN (New York, Geneva, Vienna), General Consultative Status at UNICEF (New York) and the Council of Europe (Strasbourg), and it maintains operational relations with UNESCO (Paris).
Its mission is to build and represent the global Humanist movement, to defend human rights and to promote Humanist values world-wide. IHEU sponsors the triennial World Humanist Congress.
You can find out more about IHEU on our web site
<http://www.iheu.org>
Fwd by
John Willemsens,
Advayavada Foundation.
<http://www.euronet.nl/~advaya/index.htm>
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