Freedom of Thought Report Finds Humanists and Atheists Are Now Targeted as a Distinct Minority by Hate Campaigns

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Dec. 15, 2014) - On December 10, the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) issued the "Freedom of Thought Report" The report states: "In 2014, in addition to laws such as those targeting "apostasy" and "blasphemy", we have seen a marked increase in specific targeting of "atheists" and "humanists".

Previous editions of the Freedom of Thought Report, which considers and rates every country in the world for anti-atheist persecution, found that almost all countries discriminate against the nonreligious, in some cases through religious privilege or legal exemption, with the worst countries refusing to issue identity cards to the nonreligious, taking children from atheist parents, or sentencing "apostates" to death.

The 2014 edition of the report notes: "This year will be marked by a surge in the phenomenon of state officials and political leaders agitating specifically against nonreligious people in terms that would normally be associated with hate speech or social persecution against ethnic or religious minorities."

This important report highlights egregious and subtle discrimination, globally and within Canada. Humanist Canada has a mandate to educate and foster a spirit of inclusion amongst disparate but evolving ideologies and is helping disseminate the analysis. The IHEU report provides empirical data as a valuable tool for developing a global perspective.

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