All the news
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EHF General Assembly 2020
Posted on the 17/10/20After being postponed earlier in the year, and moving fully online, the EHF General Assembly finally took place November 7, 2020. With the fully going online of the GA, came new challenges. To ensure that the GA would run as smoothly as possible, the event was split up into two parts. The correspondence...
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Renew Europe Calls on EP to Declare the EU an LGBTI Freedom Zone
Posted on the 11/02/21The EHF is happy to see the proposal from Renew Europe regarding the declaring of Europe as an LGBTI Freedom Zone, and fully supports this proposal. Renew Europe is a large Centrist party in the European Parliament, consisting of centrist parties from all over the EU. With this proposal, Renew Europe...
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EHF statement on the firing of Budapest Major’s office employee Gáspár Békés
Posted on the 10/02/21With strong concern and condemnation the EHF has been made aware of the firing of Budapest Major’s office employee Gáspár Békés. Mister Békés was fired for expressing his believes as a non-believer, a move that has been welcomed by several Christian parties in Hungary. The right to freedom...
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High-Level-Meeting on the European Way of Life
Posted on the 05/02/21On 5 February, EHF President Michael Bauer and Vice-President Lone Ree Milkaer took part in a high-level meeting of the European Union. The meeting was hosted by Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas and Parliament Vice-President Roberta Metsola as part of the regular consultations under Article...
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Migration and Children – the situation of unaccompanied minors
Posted on the 04/02/21Speech given by Lone Ree Milkær, Vice-President of The European Humanist Federation, during the "Migration and Children – The situation of unaccompanied minors" seminar Mr. President, madame Vice-president, mr. Vicepresident, honored colleagues. Thank you for initiating this necessary dialogue on...
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EHF happy to see first-ever LGBTIQ strategy on equality by the European Commission
Posted on the 16/11/20The European Humanist Federation is happy to see a first-ever strategy on LGBTIQ equality in the EU. As Humanist the right to exist and express ourselves is a value we hold high. It is important the we all work together towards a future of equality, and the contribution of the European Commission ...
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Dutch Humanist Association calls for change in education law
Posted on the 12/11/20Article 23 of the Dutch constitution calls for freedom of education, allowing those of different beliefs and religions to seek out schools that are best for them, as long as the schools follow the Dutch curriculum. But how far can this freedom be stretched? That was the question this week in Dutch...
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EHF at the OSCE calls for equal rights for all beliefs
Posted on the 10/11/20Vice President Lone Ree Milkær made an intervention on behalf of EHF at the 3rd Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting at OSCE held online on the 9th and 10th of November. The theme of the meeting was Freedom of Religion or Belief: The Role of Digital Technologies and Civil Society Actors in Advancing...
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New Board of Directors
Posted on the 08/11/20The EHF is pleased to announce their new Board of Directors, who were elected at the last General Assembly, which took place on 7 November 2020. The Board chose amongst themselves the positions of President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary General, and Deputy Secretary General. The Board...
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We Stand With Polish Women
Posted on the 01/11/20The European Humanist Federation and Humanist International stand with the women of Poland in their fight against the repressive laws that restrict their bodily autonomy. If you wish to show your solidarity with the Polish women as well, please use the hashtag #WeStandWithPolishWomen or share the...
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Unacceptable violations of EU fundamental values
Posted on the 23/10/20The EHF has already recently called on the EU to take tougher measures than in the past on the discriminatory policy towards LGBTI in Poland. Now, in view of the recent ruling on the permissibility of abortion by the Polish Constitutional Court, which observers consider to be under the strong influence...
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Political talks with the German presidency of the European Council: EHF lobbies for human rights and civil freedoms outside and within the EU
Posted on the 05/10/20As part of the regular talks under Article 17 of the Treaty on the functioning of the EU, EHF President Michael Bauer and Vice-President Lone Ree Milkær exchanged views with the German Presidency of the Council on Thursday 30 October. The latter was represented by Ambassador Susanne Baumann, Head...
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European humanists in solidarity with LGBT+ community in Poland
Posted on the 13/08/20______________________________________________________________________________ EUROPEAN HUMANISTS IN SOLIDARITY WITH LGBT+ COMMUNITY IN POLAND 16 August 2020 The European Humanist Federation (EHF) condemns recent police brutality and abuses towards the LGBT+ activists who were arrested on 7 August ...
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STRANGLING THE RAINBOW: Polish regime’s war against LGBT people
Posted on the 12/08/20The Polish Humanist Association, an EHF associate member organization, issued a statement on the recent events in Poland. Polish Humanist Association STRANGLING THE RAINBOW Polish regime's war against LGBT people 12 August 2020 (Information and our stance on the brutal persecution of LGBT people...
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Greece and Cyprus only European states registering religion in birth certificates (first ever EHF third party intervention in ECtHR related case)
Posted on the 27/07/20...
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European Humanists call on Turkey to reverse Ayasofya’s conversion to mosque
Posted on the 13/07/2013 July 2020 The European Humanist Federation condemns the decision of Turkish authorities to convert Ayasofya (Haghia Sophia or Sancta Sophia) back to a mosque as a blow to the secular character of the country whose large majority are Muslims. Ayasofia was a Byzantine church through 1453 and then...
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Tunisian activist faces imminent deportation from Denmark, posing an extreme risk to his well-being
Posted on the 01/07/20Humanists International and the Danish Humanist Society urge the Danish authorities not to deport Tunisian human rights activist and freethinker, Nacer Amari, following the rejection of his asylum application. The decision of the Danish Refugee Appeals Board to reject Amari’s claim means that...
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Mandatory declaration of religion breaches human rights, says EHF member NSS
Posted on the 26/06/20Mandatory declaration of religion breaches human rights, says EHF member NSS Posted: Fri, 26 Jun 2020 The National Secular Society, a member of the European Humanist Federation, has challenged a requirement that parents in Greece must declare their religion on children's birth certificates in ...
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European Humanist Professionals Newsletter (June 2020)
Posted on the 25/06/20NEWSLETTER JUNE 2020 EDITORIAL Neil AndersonChair of Commission-EHP Welcome to the Summer edition of the EHP Newsletter. As international humanists we know that when our blue planet is viewed from space, there are no national boundaries to be seen...
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EHF at OSCE calls on 21+ European states to abolish blasphemy laws
Posted on the 22/06/20Panayote Dimitras (right) at the OSCE meeting on Freedom of Expression on 22 June 2020 (left) Statement submitted by the European Humanist Federation at the OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting (SHDM) II on Freedom of Expression, Media and Information (Online event 22-23 June 2020) “Prohibitions...
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EHF President on Word Humanist Day
Posted on the 21/06/20On the 21st of June we humanists celebrate Word Humanist Day. On this occasion, this is the message of the President of the European Humanist Federation, Michael Bauer. A firewall against barbarism On World Humanist Day, we humanists have many reasons to be proud of what we have achieved - ...
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“Black lives matter” and “refugee lives matter”
Posted on the 18/06/20Humanist Union of Greece 18 June 2020 The Humanist Union of Greece (HUG), a member of the European Humanist Federation, supports the joint appeal to the UN Human Rights Council to establish an international commission of inquiry with the necessary authority to investigate systemic racism in law ...
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EHF President on protests after George Floyd killing
Posted on the 18/06/20On the occasion of the worldwide protest movement after the killing of the American citizen George Floyd by policemen, the President of the European Humanist Federation, Michael Bauer, states: "These days we look with shock at the images of inhuman police violence in the USA, and with concern we...
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Norwegian Humanist Association supports #BlackLivesMatter
Posted on the 10/06/20The Norwegian Humanist Association, a member of the Euroepan Humanist Federation, supports #BlackLivesMatter. The murder of George Floyd in Minnesota, USA, has brought renewed attention to the unequal treatment of ethnic minorities in the United States. To countries everywhere, this serves as a reminder...
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New European Humanist Federation leadership
Posted on the 28/05/20On 23 May 2020, the Board of Directors of the European Humanist Federation (EHF) elected as its President Michael Bauer, board member of the Humanist Association (Humanistische Vereinigung) and EHF Vice President since 2015. Michael Bauer is replacing Giulio Ercolessi, who resigned his post. The Board...
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EU Member States urged to relocate unaccompanied children from Greece’s refugee camps
Posted on the 12/05/20The situation of refugees and migrant groups amid the COVID-19 outbreak is demanding more than ever urgent action by European governments. The European Humanist Federation urges EU Member States relocate unaccompanied children from Greek islands, in solidarity with each other and with migrants as human...
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Hungary: Extraordinary powers and their application by government are in serious breach of fundamental rights, democratic principles and the rule of law
Posted on the 08/05/20Earlier this month, the European Humanist Federation signed an open letter to EU institutions about the grave breaches of democracy by Hungarian authorities. A coalition of civil society organisations denounced the law adopted at the end of March, granting very broad and indefinite powers to the government...
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The EHF supports #FreeMubarakBala week of protest
Posted on the 05/05/20Mubarak Bala, the President of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, was arrested in his home on April 28, 2020 following allegations that he insulted the Prophet Muhammad on social media. His legal team has been unable to access Mubarak and are asking authorities to clarify where he’s being held. ...
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Finland: secular people with two state churches
Posted on the 23/04/20By Antti Vari and Jori Mäntysalo, Vice-President and President of the local Freethinkers Union in Tampere, Finland. In early 2020, the Union of Freethinkers of Finland sent a letter to every Member of the Parliament of Finland asking whether it is not time now to separate the church(-es) and the ...
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Open letter: States must integrate the needs of CSOs into their policies
Posted on the 21/04/20The following letter, signed by over 50 European networks and national platforms, was sent to president of the European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen, and Commissioners Věra Jourová and Didier Reynders: CSOs must be able to keep acting in response to social emergencies States must integrate the...
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Open letter: the EU must not sit idly by while a Member State’s democracy is in jeopardy
Posted on the 15/04/20The European Humanist Federation, along with 80 MEPs and civil society groups, has signed an open letter to the European Commission and the European Council, urging them to condemn the latest developments in Hungary and take decisive action. On 31 March, Hungary adopted a law giving the government...
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[Joint statement] European governments must ensure safe and timely access to abortion care during the COVID-19 pandemic
Posted on the 08/04/20Joint civil society statement – 8 April 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic and public health crisis is presenting grave challenges for health care systems across Europe. As European countries work to address the pandemic, protect their populations, and meet the increased demand on health care workers and...
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Responses to confinement: Truth to Power Café launches new digital platform
Posted on the 08/04/20Across the world, events of all sorts continue to be cancelled and postponed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Organisers are forced to find new dates and figure out alternative platforms to hold their events. This is the case of the Truth to Power Café planned to take place in May 2020, ...
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Humanists express concerns about practices of religious groups amid COVID-19 crisis
Posted on the 07/04/20Exceptional measures deployed to slow down the spread of COVID-19 show the need for a collective response to an issue that affects all sectors in society, with no exceptions. In this context, the European Humanist Federation expresses concerns about the practices of certain religious groups that are...
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EHF 2020 General Assembly postponed
Posted on the 07/04/20Over the past weeks, our Board has been assessing the viability of the EHF General Assembly in Rome on 22-23 May, hosted by our Italian member UAAR. Due to the current circumstances, we regret to announce that the event has been officially postponed. We are aware that there may be some costs wasted...
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“We are missing out the voices of people who have had an abortion” – Interview with Eva De Goeij
Posted on the 31/03/20In these challenging times, access to contraception and abortion are among the most vulnerable rights. Shortage in production of supplies and stock-outs, shipping delays, restriction of abortion services by the government, no access to telemedical services... These issues reveal how sexual and reproductive...
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[Opinion] Critical thinking at critical times
Posted on the 27/03/20By Mar Fernández. Some have criticized the pot-banging protest during the speech of King Philip VI on the coronavirus crisis we are experiencing, amid a great controversy – that was watered down by the context itself – about the misappropriation of millions of euros by his father Juan Carlos ...
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Swiss Freethinkers launch “Secular Refugee Aid” programme
Posted on the 26/03/20In order to better support people who have fled to Switzerland because of their religious distance, the Swiss Freethinkers Association is starting the programme "secular-refugees.ch – A humanistic refugee aid". The programme was meant to be launched at the event on Apostasy Day on 21 March at the...
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Coronavirus outbreak: emergency measures must not be used to roll back fundamental rights
Posted on the 24/03/20The dramatic situation Europe is now facing calls for exceptional measures to protect public health. However, governments must not use this situation to roll back on fundamental rights, including economic and social rights. While emergency measures may contain limitations to some basic rights (freedom...
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Coronavirus emergency: UAAR launches a fundraising campaign
Posted on the 17/03/20Read original post (in Italian) « We are probably experiencing the greatest disaster the country has faced since the war. Public health and the national health system itself are at stake. For this reason, our association has decided to promote a fundraising campaign for healthcare, in particular...
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EHF and Humanists Sweden welcome European Court of Human Rights decision on case of Swedish midwives
Posted on the 16/03/20On 11 March, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) declined to take up the case of two Swedish midwives who argued that being denied midwife jobs for refusing to perform abortions was a violation of their right to freedom of religion and conscience. The European Humanist Federation (EHF) and Humanists...
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The EHF welcomes latest Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of religion or belief
Posted on the 11/03/20On the occasion of the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of religion or belief Ahmed Shaheed presented his latest report, which addresses the urgent and serious issue of the use of religion to justify discrimination and violence against women and LGBT+ persons...
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HRC 43rd session: oral statement on the situation of non-believer asylum seekers
Posted on the 10/03/20Today, at the 43rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, the European Humanist Federation (EHF) delivered an oral statement on the situation of non-believer asylum seekers as part of "Item 4: Human Rights situations that require the Council’s attention". Among persons seeking asylum in Europe or...
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Germany: EHF and German Humanists welcome Constitutional Court ruling in favour of assisted suicide
Posted on the 28/02/20On 26 February, Germany’s Constitutional Court ruled that German law on assisted suicide in effect since 2015 has no legal validity. The European Humanist Federation (EHF) and Humanistischer Verband Deutschlands (HVD) welcome the strengthening of the right of end-of-life self-determination associated...
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Nada Peratovic: “Don’t be discouraged by the misogyny in the atheist and humanist community ”
Posted on the 26/02/20Ahead of 8 March, women from across the world are gathering, reflecting together on progress made. They are exchanging on the present challenges and defining the changes needed, calling on strikes and mass demonstrations. They are organising themselves and getting ready, one more year, for International...
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Recognise the climate crisis as a cause of flight
Posted on the 17/02/20Have a look at the original press statment here (in German) Fleeing from climatic conditions and changes that are clearly attributable to man-made climate change should be legally recognised. This is what CEO of Humanistische Vereinigung (HV) and Vice President of the EHF Michael Bauer stated, as ...
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Offences against religious feelings: Willy Toledo prosecuted in Spain
Posted on the 14/02/20On 17 February, Spanish actor Willy Toledo will appear in Court for alleged crime against freedom of conscience, offences against religious feelings, and offence of obstruction of justice. The trial comes after ultra-conservative organisation Abogados Cristianos (the Spanish Association of Cristian...
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[Opinion] The « Affaire Mila » reveals several burning questions
Posted on the 11/02/20By Martine Cerf The case itself and its many twists and turns have continually challenged the understanding of freedom of expression, the identification of the victim and the role of the State. Let us try to review these questions and the errors of judgment that they sometimes unveil. Some people...
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EHF and Swiss Freethinkers welcome the extension of anti-discrimination law
Posted on the 10/02/20Read original post. On 9 February, Switzerland held a referendum on a proposed law to make it illegal to discriminate against people based on their sexual orientation - an extension of current anti-racism law in the country. 63.1% of voters came out in favour of it. The European Humanist Federation...
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[Press release] Council of Europe rejects recommendation on reasonable accommodation
Posted on the 29/01/20Brussels, 29 January 2020 – The European Humanist Federation (EHF) welcomes the rejection of the recommendation on “The protection of freedom of religion or belief in the workplace” by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (CoE), an important step towards non-discrimination of employees...
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Civil Society Organisations write to Commissioner Jourová on SLAPP lawsuits
Posted on the 27/01/2027 Civil Society Organisations, including the EHF, sent a letter to Vice President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová calling on her to include all those impacted by SLAPP lawsuits in proposed new legislation. Strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs...
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Freedom on beaten path: the story of Lamine Madani, young Algerian freethinker
Posted on the 23/01/20Far from being fair and transparent, the process of considering asylum applications in Europe fails to take into account the life-stances and situation of non-believers. People holding non-theistic or atheistic beliefs encounter many difficulties when fleeing prosecutions worldwide. These difficulties...
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“Reasonable accommodation”: the EHF urges the Council of Europe to reject drafts
Posted on the 22/01/20The European Humanist Federation has urged the Council of Europe not to adopt a resolution that seeks to privilege claims based on religious arguments in the workplace. On 29 January, a draft resolution and recommendation put forward by conservative MPs on “The protection of freedom of religion...
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European Parliament asserts right not to believe, right to apostasy and not to profess any religion
Posted on the 16/01/20The European Humanist Federation welcomes the principled defence of freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief by the European Parliament. In its “Annual report 2018 on the human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union's policy on the matter”, adopted on 15 January, the...
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2020 Science Calendar in Spain: an initiative driven by Europa Laica
Posted on the 09/01/20First in Romania, then in Scotland, now in Spain. Across Europe, members of the European Humanist Federation replicate the yearly Science Calendar project originally developed by our member organisation Romanian Secular-Humanist Association (ASUR). The project of a Science Calendar was originated...
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The EHF welcomes the removal of blasphemy from statute law in Ireland
Posted on the 08/01/20A few days before the start of the year 2020, Ireland suppressed blasphemy and related offenses from its laws. The European Humanist Federation warmly welcomes the adoption of the Blasphemy (Abolition of Offences and Related Matters) Act removing blasphemy from Irish statute books. In the 2018 referendum...
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The EHF pays tribute to Charlie Hebdo victims and calls for a principled defence of freedom of expression
Posted on the 07/01/20Five years ago today, on 7th January 2015, the team of Charlie Hebdo, a French satirical weekly newspaper, was slaughtered by terrorists acting in the name of radical Islamism. The European Humanist Federation pays tribute to the 12 persons who fell on that tragic day: Charlie Hebdo cartoonists Cabu...
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Human Rights Day: EHF reaffirms its commitment to human rights and warns of attempts to curtail them
Posted on the 09/12/19The European Humanist Federation (EFH) joins in the celebration of #HumanRightsDay, observed worldwide on every 10 December, anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948. For the EFH, the UN Universal Declaration of...
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Slovak Parliament rejects bill on restricting access to abortion following campaign by rights groups
Posted on the 05/12/19The European Humanist Federation welcomes the rejection of the draft proposal to restrict the access to abortion by the Slovak Parliament. The proposed bill was the 6th attempt this year to limit safe and legal access to abortion in the country. Earlier this year, the EHF took part in the international...
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Slovakia mobilises for a secular state: interview with the President of humanist organisation ETHOS
Posted on the 28/11/19With a predominantly Catholic population, Slovakia is theoretically not affiliated to any specific religion, as according to Art 1 of the Constitution of the Slovak Republic. However, in practice preferential treatment is given to the Catholic Church through State funding and tax exemptions, humanist...
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The EHF joins action against bill obstructing access to abortion in Slovakia
Posted on the 22/11/19Today, the European Humanist Federation (EHF) joins the international action #NebudemeTicho - #WeWontBeSilent in solidarity with women in Slovakia. A coalition of 36 civil society organisations launched this action against a new draft legislation, which would obstruct access to safe abortion care, harm...
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Abortion rights in The Netherlands – EHF stands by Dutch humanists
Posted on the 18/11/19Over the course of November, everyone in The Netherlands will receive an anti-abortion brochure in their mailbox. In it, women who want an abortion are portrayed as thoughtless and in need of help, as if they could not make an informed choice by themselves. The European Humanist Federation (EHF) and...
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Humanists present Freedom of Thought Report 2019 in the European Parliament
Posted on the 14/11/19On 13 November, the European Humanist Federation took part in the first Article 17 event organised in the new parliamentary session, which took place at the European Parliament and was devoted to “The Humanist Contribution to European Society”. During this round-table, our friends of Humanists...
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The EHF takes part in the conference on the 10th anniversary of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
Posted on the 14/11/19On 12 November, The European Humanist Federation (EHF) attended the conference “Making the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights a Reality for All”, organised by the European Commission, the Finnish Presidency of the Council and the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). The conference was the occasion...
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The EHF welcomes the withdrawal of the bill reintroducing the crime of blasphemy in Greece
Posted on the 13/11/19Earlier in November this year, the Greek Minister of Justice announced a project to reintroduce criminal sanctions for blasphemy. However, on 12 November the Government eventually renounced to its project, following public outcry by large parts of Greek civil society that showed a clear refusal of this...
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The EHF takes part in the first conference on Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law at the EESC
Posted on the 07/11/19On 5 November, the European Humanist Federation attended the first conference on Fundamental Rights and the Rule of Law-Trends in the EU from a civil society perspective, organized by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). The Conference brought together representative of European institutions...
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Andalusia: the EHF supports Europa Laica’s campaign to withdraw religious symbols from state schools
Posted on the 24/10/19Omnipresent religious (Catholic) symbols are a common feature in the public, state-funded schools in Andalusia. The European Humanist Federation contributes to the campaign led by our member association Europa Laica demanding the withdrawal of religious symbols from public educational institutions. ...
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Council of Europe : a progress inspired by the European Humanist Federation
Posted on the 22/10/19Earlier this year, the European Humanist Federation, in cooperation with other civil society organisations, took the lead to prevent a powerful traditionalist and anti-choice faith-based organisation (ADF) from acquiring participatory status at the Council of Europe. Now, inspired by the EHF, Belgian...
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Support an initiative of an EHF Member Organization to promote the principle of secularism
Posted on the 21/10/19This week, on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the Centre d’Action Laïque (CAL), our Belgian EHF member organization, launched a call to all defenders of fundamental rights to promote secularism as a universal principle guaranteeing freedoms and peaceful coexistence of philosophical opinions...
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Congress on “Expressing Humanist Values in Education, Chaplaincy and Ceremonies”
Posted on the 14/10/194-6 October 2019, around 90 humanist professionals (also volunteers) from 10 different European countries came together in Bruges (Belgium) for the congress “Expressing Humanist Values in Education, Chaplaincy and Ceremonies”. The congress was organised by the EHP (European Humanist Professionals...
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The EHF stands for the free exercise of political criticism
Posted on the 07/10/19The president himself of a right-wing Greek party, “Elliniki Lisi” (“Greek Solution”, a party member of the ERC European group), Kyriakos Velopoulos, has tabled nothing less than a parliamentary question to the Greek government against EHF board member Panayote Dimitras, accused, in his capacity...
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EHF attends a seminar organised by the Italian Union of Atheists Agnostics and Rationalists
Posted on the 02/10/19EHF president Giulio Ercolessi took part in Florence in a seminar organised by EHF member organisation UAAR (the Italian Union of Atheists Agnostics and Rationalists) to mark the 30th anniversary of the ruling of the Italian Constitutional Court in which the principle of “Laicità” (secularity...
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A strong statement from the EHF in the OSCE
Posted on the 25/09/19European Humanist Federation’s Vice-President Kaja Bryx represented this year our organization during the 2019 Human Dimension Implementation Meeting of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe). In a statement pronounced during the meeting, she commented on the ODIHR publication...
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Join the next international congress of the European Humanist Professionals in Bruges
Posted on the 27/06/19We are very excited to announce the International congress of the European Humanist Professionals (EHP), a subsection of the EHF which brings together professional involved in the provision of a number of humanist services such as chaplaincy, counselling, ceremonies or education in Europe. By organising...
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HUMANISTS URGE POLICY-MAKERS TO IMPROVE CONDITIONS IN WHICH ASYLUM CLAIMS OF NON-BELIEVERS ARE PROCESSED
Posted on the 20/06/19At the occasion of the event “Are you a true humanist?”, European humanists urged EU and national policy-makers to urgently improve the ways in which the claims of non-believers and freethinkers seeking asylum in Europe are processed and raise authorities’ awareness of their specific needs when...
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HUMANISTS URGE NEW EP BUREAU TO RESIST INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE ON EP WORK
Posted on the 18/06/19The European Humanist Federation deplores the fact that despite clear opposition from inside and outside the European Parliament, part of its leadership is still trying to push through the closed doors of the EP Bureau proposals that would grant religious and non-confessional organisations privileged...
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Join us for “Are you a true Humanist?” – our event on non-believers seeking asylum in Europe – 20 June
Posted on the 11/06/19Join us on 20 June in Brussels at "Are you a true humanist?", the event we will co-organise with the European Parliament Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief. The event will be occasion to discuss the situation of freethinkers seeking asylum when they reach reception centres in European countries...
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HUMANISTS PUBLISH DECLARATION ON FAMILY AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Posted on the 05/06/19PRESS RELEASE At the occasion of the General Assembly of the European Humanist Federation, humanist organisations from all Europe issued a declaration to condemn the increasing opposition to key fundamental rights initiated or supported by different types of actors, ranging from far-right...
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From breaking taboos to securing new rights: interview with the President of our Maltese members
Posted on the 24/05/19Many humanists remember the tragic death of Ramon Casha, the very active President of the Malta Humanist Association in early 2017 after a motorbike accident. Two years later, the association still draws power from his memory and is engaged in a number of battles: from lifting the taboo on abortion...
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For a free Europe: the EU election campaign by our Dutch members
Posted on the 20/05/19As preparation for our campaign for the European elections, we published in March two key documents in which we developed our proposals to help the European Union fill the increasing gap between its values and the policies it pursues. While we have spread our proposals and reached out to high-level...
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Humanists condemn the undermining of the EP’s impartiality towards religious organisations
Posted on the 16/04/19PRESS RELEASE Brussels, 16 April 2019 – The European Humanist Federation deplores the adoption yesterday by the European Parliament’s Bureau of a report that aims at providing religious and non-confessional organisations privileged access to policy-makers over the rest of civil society. This...
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Will the European Parliament resist the institutionalisation of religious lobbying?
Posted on the 16/04/19An EHF opinion by our President, Giulio Ercolessi, published in Euractiv on 15 April 2019 In a time of growing diversity, secularism is the very principle that caters for the co-existence of the multitude of life stances and worldviews present in our societies. Yet, attempts to undermine it emanate...
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EHF URGES EP BUREAU TO REJECT THE INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE ON LEGISLATIVE WORK
Posted on the 12/04/19PRESS RELEASE The European Humanist Federation denounces and strongly opposes the proposals made by European Parliament’s Vice-President Mairead McGuinness to institutionalise further the influence of religious organisations on the European Parliament’s legislative work. This call comes ...
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Beyond narratives, what Europe needs is real policies respecting people’s human dignity
Posted on the 01/04/19Brussels, 1 April 2019 – The European Humanist Federation advocated for a more humane Europe that truly aims to uphold the fundamental humanist values of freedom, equality and solidarity at the event Another Take on Europe organized in cooperation with the European Commission in the framework of its...
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Italian Atheists and partners rallye voice of solidarity and freedom as an answer against World Congress of Families
Posted on the 30/03/19Verona, 30 March 2019 – Italian EHF member organisation Unione degli Atei e degli Agnostici Razionalisti (UAAR) co-organises the event Italia Laica, Verona Libera as a response to the holding of the World Congress of Families, one of the world’s largest international gatherings of ultra-conservative...
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RISK ZERO DOES NOT EXIST: THE EU NEEDS AN OBSERVATORY FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Posted on the 19/03/19PRESS RELEASE Brussels, 19 March 2019 The European Humanist Federation called for the creation of a European Observatory for Artificial Intelligence at the conference Artificial intelligence: Ethical concerns organized by the European Parliament as part of its regular dialogue with churches and non...
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EHF warns U.N. about obstacles to asylum for persecuted non-believers
Posted on the 14/03/19On 12 March, the European Humanist Federation took the floor at the United Nations in Geneva and urged the Human Rights Council to take strong action in order to facilitate asylum procedures for non-believers fleeing persecutions worldwide. Although the UN Refugee Agency and the EU have issued...
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MEPs to J.C. Juncker: is EU Special Envoy for FoRB able to carry out his mandate?
Posted on the 22/02/19Many might remember that a month ago, we were both happy about the content of a a European Parliament report and outraged about the political messaging being carried out around it. This was the EP report on the mandate of the EU Special Envoy on Freedom of Religion or Belief much more balanced...
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EHF co-organises EU elections Campaign Lab
Posted on the 14/02/19Last year, we announced the launch of #yEUrManifesto, a civil society manifesto signed on by 200+ organisations that envisioned a fairer, more democratic, more sustainable and more efficient European Union. Stemming from this collaboration, many felt that a larger gathering for European NGOs was...
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EHF comments on EU ethical guidelines for artificial intelligence
Posted on the 05/02/19Following an online consultation organised by the European Commission’s High-Level Expert Group on Artificial Intelligence (HLEG AI), we submitted our humanist contribution to the on-going debate on the European ethical guidelines that should accompany the development of this technology (or rather...
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Subordinated by Secularism? – a book review by our very own policy officer
Posted on the 28/01/19by Julie Pernet, EHF Policy Officer This article was initially published in Conscience (the magazine of Catholics for Choice) --- In Sex and Secularism, Joan Wallach Scott challenges one of the main foundations of the “clash of civilizations” debate—that secularism has guaranteed women’...
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Freedom of Religion or Belief: despite a balanced report, EPP intentions remain clear.
Posted on the 15/01/19PRESS-RELEASE - The European Humanist Federation takes note of the adoption by the European Parliament of its Report on the EU Guidelines and the mandate of the EU Special Envoy on the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU. In the meantime, it doubts that it will result in effective...
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Our mission for 2019: defend the humanist heritage of the Enlightment
Posted on the 11/01/192018 was a year of challenges with rising authoritarianism in many European countries. In what seems to be collective amnesia, many of the fundamental values established after the end of World War II in defense of our restored or newly established democracies have kept being shaken and this has been...
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Persecuted for his beliefs: the experience of an atheist refugee
Posted on the 18/12/18Karrar Hamza Al Asfoor is a 31 years old Iraqi activist who was the first person to be granted asylum in Greece because he is an atheist. Back home, he was actively engaged in promoting atheism. This prompted Ismalist groups to threaten him. He fled to Europe in order to find safety and be able to continue...
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EHF President meets European Green Party to discuss EU elections
Posted on the 14/12/18On 5th December, EHF President Giulio Ercolessi and Policy Officer Julie Pernet met with the European Greens Party in the perspective of the European elections of next May. This meeting with Secretary General Mar Garcia was the opportunity to discuss issues of common interest and to present some of...
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Humanists remind European Parliament that human rights can only be secular
Posted on the 12/12/18On 4 December, the European Parliament organized an event entitled Dialogue seminar with churches and religious communities: Religion and Human Rights within the EU – A shared responsibility. The event was organized in the framework of the European Parliament’s dialogue with churches and ...
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Humanists celebrate 70th anniversary of UDHR
Posted on the 10/12/18Exactly 70 years ago, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a milestone document in History that was drafted by representatives from all regions of the world, bringing in various legal and cultural backgrounds. Humanists are deeply committed...
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Humanists present Freedom of Thought Report in the European Parliament
Posted on the 06/12/18The European Humanist Federation and the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) presented the Freedom of Thought Report 2018, this year’s edition of the yearly status report prepared by the IHEU. The report documents the discriminations faced by people around the world because of their...
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Will the European Parliament truly stand up for all people persecuted worldwide?
Posted on the 05/12/18An EHF opinion by our President, Giulio Ercolessi, published in Euractiv on 5 December 2018. On 6 December, the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee will vote an important report for people who are mistreated, discriminated or persecuted for their beliefs worldwide, writes Giulio Ercolessi...
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EHF President urges EU to defend non conformist thinkers, not build walls
Posted on the 04/12/18EHF President Giulio Ercolessi took part last week in Milan in a panel debate on transnational issues within the 12th Congress of the Associazione Radicale Certi Diritti, one of the main Italian LGBTI associations. The panel was focused on the discrimination and persecution of LGBTI persons in North...
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EHF takes part in EU Fundamental Rights Colloquium
Posted on the 29/11/18On 26 and 27 November, the EHF took part in the European Commission’s Annual Colloquium on Fundamental Rights that focused this year on « Democracy in the EU ». With various civil society organisations and representatives from European institutions, we brainstormed about an issue that is of...
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EHF joins NGO statement on civil society’s role for human rights
Posted on the 26/11/18On 26 and 27 November, the European Commission hosts the 2018 Annual Fundamental Rights Colloquium this year dedicated to "Democracy in the EU". As explained on the event's website, the colloquium will aim to reaffirm that Democracy is a central value common to the European Union and all its Member ...
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The city of Verona declared “pro-life” – Women’s rights movements mobilize.
Posted on the 22/11/18On Saturday, Italian women’s rights movements will rally in Rome to protest against increasing political and administrative attacks launched against Italian women’s right to abortion by various far right politicians of the Northern League, the party of Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini...
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Rehabilitate those who refused to take part in the slaughter a 100 years ago!
Posted on the 11/11/18Today the world celebrates the centenary of the end of WWI. During the past four years of studies, celebrations and commemorations, a parallel was often drawn between our time and the years preceding the outburst of that war. Indeed, the nationalist and populist wave we are witnessing shows sinister...
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EHF supports letter to Pope Francis about his recent remarks on abortion
Posted on the 07/11/18People may remember that on 10 October Pope Francis made one of his harshest criticisms about abortion when he declared that abortion is like "hiring a contract killer to resolve the problem." This stigmatizing declaration is at odds with the reality of hundreds of millions of women around the world...
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Humanist Society Scotland replicates Romanian Science Calendar
Posted on the 05/11/18Some will remember that a few months back, we reported about the Science Calendar, a wonderful achievement of our Romanian members. This story amazed our Scottish members so much that they decided to replicate project. The original story Back then, we talked to Monica Belițoiu, Chief Executive ...
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European humanists welcome the Irish vote for freedom of expression.
Posted on the 27/10/18The European Humanist Federation (EHF) rejoices at the results of the Irish referendum on repealing the clause penalizing blasphemy in the country’s Constitution. This result is yet another important milestone that will foster the harmonious co-existence of the many life stances present in our modern...
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European humanists call on Irish people to vote “yes” in blasphemy referendum.
Posted on the 25/10/18The European Humanist Federation (EHF) calls on Irish voters to vote “yes” at the upcoming referendum on removing the wording condemning blasphemy from the Irish Constitution. This Friday’s referendum will decide whether to remove blasphemy from the list of limitations of freedom of expression...
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Romania: homophobic referendum fails. Time to work towards equality.
Posted on the 08/10/18Bucharest, Romania – The EHF congratulates the Romanian people for refusing the exclusionary ideas pushed by extremist reactionary lobbies and the Orthodox Church in this weekend’s homophobic referendum. We however remain vigilant that the message addressed by the people will be upheld in practice...
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When politics overwrite values: Romania’s homophobic referendum
Posted on the 02/10/18Imagine a country where a referendum is scheduled with less than a month's notice, leaving too little time for public administrations to sufficiently prepare and provide basic guarantees. Now imagine that this referendum, pushed by religious extremists and aiming at making homophobic changes to the ...
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International Safe Abortion Day: EHF publishes abortion status report
Posted on the 28/09/18Access to abortion in Europe appears to be a vested right. In reality, however, it is nothing of the kind. Attacks by anti- choice groups, both open and insidious, are increasing. Shaming of women remains the rule. Barriers to women’s sexual and reproductive autonomy are a manifestation of institutionalised...
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#yEUrManifesto – the citizens manifesto for a sustainable Europe
Posted on the 25/09/18The European Humanist Federation, together with major NGOs from a number of sectors such as SDGWatch, Save the Children, Global Call to Action Against Poverty, the European Environmental Bureau, Global Health Advocates, Solidar and Nyt Europe launched the Civil Society Manifesto for a Sustainable ...
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U.N. Publishes EHF statement on the hijacking of human rights
Posted on the 20/09/18The UN Human Rights Council has published the EHF's written statement on the hijacking of human rights concepts to undermine people's rights and freedoms. Indeed an increasing number of conservatives and religious fundamentalists use human rights concepts and language to spread messages promoting their...
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Our message to the OSCE: Repeal ALL blasphemy laws
Posted on the 14/09/18On 13 September, the EHF took part in the annual Human Dimension Implementation Meeting organised by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). This annual event serves as a platform for the 57 OSCE participating States, OSCE Partners, civil society, international organizations...
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The Sargentini Report: A Christian dilemma
Posted on the 11/09/18An EHF opinion by our President, Giulio Ercolessi, published in Euractiv on 11 September 2018. More than ever, Europe’s democratic values are under threat and the political developments in Hungary perfectly illustrate that. Hence the importance of this week’s vote on Hungary in the European Parliament...
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Willy Toledo prosecuted after case on “insult to religion”
Posted on the 05/09/18This week, a Court of Madrid has issued an arrest warrant against Spanish actor Willy Toledo for failing to appear and testify twice after a complaint of the Spanish Association of Christian Lawyers for alleged vexation of religious feelings. The Spanish Association of Christian Lawyers had denounced...
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Stand for Truth and Humanist Summer School in Ireland
Posted on the 29/08/18In an attempt to re-evangelise people of Ireland, Pope Francis held the 2018 World Meeting of Families in Dublin last week-end. A 36-hours tense and costly visit that has highlighted the increasing gap between Catholics and more broadly the Irish society and the Vatican. Stand for Truth The Pope...
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The science calendar: a success story by our Romanian members
Posted on the 12/07/18Ever wondered if you share your birthday with a famous scientist or whether an important discovery, invention or scientific feat was achieved on the day and month you were born? In Romania, you can easily check this everyday on the Science Calendar developed by our member organisation Asociatia Secular...
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From 2016 to today: Polish women’s fight for their right to choose
Posted on the 06/07/18On 2 July 2018, Polish women had to mobilize once more against a draft bill threatening to curb further their already limited right to choose over their own bodies. This is an ongoing struggle, and the last effort to stop the anti-choice groups happened on 23 March 2018. What followed was a powerful...
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EHF President Giulio Ercolessi on the state of Europe
Posted on the 04/07/18On 21 June 2018, the European Humanist Federation held its General Assembly in Nuremberg, Germany. At this occasion, EHF President Giulio Ercolessi made a welcoming speech looking back to the political developments of the last years. He drew a bittersweet picture of a Europe where progressives win battles...
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At UN, EHF highlights the situation of free thinking refugees
Posted on the 03/07/18Today, the European Humanist Federation took part in the discussions of the United Nations Human Rights Council on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance. In this context, the EHF raised the case of humanists, atheists, free-thinkers and non-believers discriminated against...
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EHF warns UN about slow progress in fighting violence and discriminations against women
Posted on the 02/07/18On 2nd July, the European Humanist federation addressed the United Nations Human Rights Council and urged member states to do more to protect girls and women’s rights in Europe and beyond. We stressed the urgency for European states to lead the way when one women in three have experienced sexual...
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Humanists and religious join forces for Freedom of Religion or Belief.
Posted on the 26/06/18Brussels, 26 June 2018 – The European Humanist Federation is pleased to launch the “Believe it or not! It’s my right” campaign (https://forb-defenders.org) together with the European Platform against Religious Intolerance and Discrimination (EPRID), Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) and the...
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Humanists celebrate human rights at Humanistentag in Nuremberg
Posted on the 25/06/18PRESS RELEASE Nuremberg, 25 June 2018 – Humanists from all over Europe gathered this weekend in Nuremberg, at the occasion of the General Assembly of the European Humanist Federation (EHF). The General Assembly was followed by Humanisten Tag, the landmark event of EHF member organization...
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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: KEY FOR COMPETITIVENESS BUT NOT AT THE EXPENSE OF A STRONG ETHICAL FRAMEWORK
Posted on the 18/06/18PRESS RELEASE Brussels – 18 June 2018 – The European Humanist Federation took part in a High-level meeting organised by the European Commission with non-confessional organisations concerning the recent Communication of the Commission on Artificial Intelligence for Europe. Vice-President...
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Non-believers: Three videos, three perspectives: the world, Europe, refugees
Posted on the 15/06/18A few weeks back, we organized an event to discuss the situation of non-believers in the world at the European Parliament. This was a landmark meeting as it was the first time that high-level EU officials clearly acknowledged the issue of the discrimination and persecution of non-believers in the world...
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Press release: extend the scope of european citizens’ initiatives
Posted on the 13/06/18Brussels – 13 June 2018 – The European Humanist Federation (EHF) expresses its concerns over the on-going discussions within the AFCO committee about the revision of the European Citizens’ Initiative. Certain political groups in the Committee are committed to clearly and unequivocally define...
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Italy’s minister for family is openly homophobic and anti-abortion
Posted on the 08/06/18Italy's new government is raising worries in many parts of Europe. For us humanists, of special concern is the nomination of Lorenzo Fontana, a fiercely anti-choice politician who is openly homophobic and anti-abortion. We asked our members from Unione degli Atei e degli Agnostici Razionalisti (...
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Ireland: the pro-choice won a battle, but the war goes on.
Posted on the 04/06/18Ireland voted ‘Yes’, a resounding, clear-cut ‘yes’, spanning all demographics of the country. A ‘yes’ rooted in true public debate, a ‘yes’ that reconciles one with politics. But as he was conceding defeat, the leader of the “Save the 8th” campaign, John McGuirko, was already...
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Landslide victory of ‘Yes’ in Ireland means legislation should follow quickly
Posted on the 26/05/18PRESS RELEASE Brussels – 26 May 2018 – The European Humanist Federation rejoices at the first results of the referendum on repealing the Irish constitution’s 8th amendment. "The landslide victory of the pro-choice side in yesterday’s Irish referendum is a milestone for all European secularists...
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Euthanasia in Spain: the anti-choice mobilize
Posted on the 18/05/18Following a proposal from the Spanish Socialist Party, the Spanish Parliament is set to discuss a bill to depenalize and regulate euthanasia in the country. Following this, the ultra-conservative anti-choice One of Us Federation, published an article in which it express that it “rejects the choice...
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Life when abortion is banned: the case of Ireland
Posted on the 11/05/18Two weeks from now, Ireland will hold an historic referendum to repeal the 8th amemndment to its Constitution. This amendment, adopted in 1983, blocks any hope of liveralization of the country's policy of full criminalization of abortion. Ahead of the vote in two weeks, we asked our Members from...
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Bavaria to force public buildings to hang cross at entrance
Posted on the 26/04/18The European Humanist Federation is deeply outraged by the decision of the Bavarian government to force public buildings throughout Bavaria to hang a cross in the entrance area of every official building. Following the decision, the government stated: “as an expression of the historical...
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EU Court opposes anti-choice activists in key judgement
Posted on the 25/04/18PRESS RELEASE The European Humanist Federation welcomes the ruling of the EU’s top court that rejected anti-choice activists’ request to ban all EU funds for what they call “activities that destroy human embryos”, mainly in research and maternal health. In 2014, the EHF raised its voice...
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EHF signs letters advocating full ratification of Istanbul Convention
Posted on the 19/04/18Today, the EHF signed two letters addressed to Mr. Thorborn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, concerning the importance of the full ratification, without reservations, of the Istanbul Convention on Preventing and Combatting Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. As of today...
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75% of Belgians want abortion out of the criminal code!
Posted on the 17/04/18, says a nation-wide survey ordered by EHF Member Organisations Centre d’Action Laïque and DeMens.nu. The survey also highlights the lack of awareness in Belgium about the current abortion law: only 20% of the people surveyed knew that abortion is still in the criminal code. By ordering this...
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Persecution of non-believers is a serious issue, says the EU.
Posted on the 13/04/18In cooperation with the EHF, the European Parliament organized its annual dialogue meeting with non-confessional organisations on 11 April in Brussels[1]. On EHF’s request, this year’s focus was on the discrimination and persecution of non-believers around the world, an issue that still does not...
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EHF signs statement of solidarity with Polish women
Posted on the 23/03/18Women's sexual and reproductive rights are once more under attack in Poland! Indeed, a new drastic law on abortion is about to be put in front of the Parliament. It's effect would be an almost complete ban of abortion in Poland, a country that already has one of the most restrictive laws in Europe. ...
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Application to the Henri La Fontaine Price is now open
Posted on the 07/03/18The applications for the 2018 Henri La Fontaine Prize for Humanism are open with a deadline for application until 15 June. The Prize was created by the Foundation Henri La Fontaine in memory of Henri Lafontaine who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1913. Henri Lafontaine was an international law...
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EHF signs solidarity statement to Hungarian NGOs
Posted on the 06/03/18On 13 February, the Hungarian government released a new set of bills targeting Civil Society Organisations working on migration. These bills - referred to as the “STOP SOROS” package – follow last year’s bill on NGOs that required NGOs that received over 24,000 € funding from abroad to register...
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Germany considers repealing nazi abortion information ban
Posted on the 02/03/18“The legislature does not want to discuss the abortion in public as if it were a normal thing” sounded the verdict of a German court, condemning Dr. Kristina Hänel to a € 6,000 fine in late 2017 for providing information about abortion on her website. How is that even possible, you ask? The...
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CoE Human Rights Commissioner’s speech on women’s rights
Posted on the 01/03/18Today, 01 March, a week ahead of the International Women's Day, Nils Muižnieks, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe, delivered a speech to the Plenary of the European Parliament concerning his experience with relation to women's rights and gender equality. In his speech, ...
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Atheist activist Karrar Hamza granted asylum in Greece!
Posted on the 06/02/18A few months back, our website reported about the case of Mr. Karrar Dwood Hamza, a well known Iraqi atheist who is in danger of persecution and even assasination. Karra arrived in Greece on 31 August 2017 and his arrival was registered on 4 September 2017. In October, the EHF, together with the Humanist...
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Cypriot education ministry promotes anti-atheist teaching material
Posted on the 17/01/18The Ministry of Education and Culture (MoEC) of Cyprus is preaching hate and blatant lies against atheism in an effort to keep school children away from non-religious points of view. According to a high-school textbook and teachers’ online material available at MoEC’s website, atheists are...
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Report on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights released!
Posted on the 06/12/17On 5 December, the Commissioner for Human Right of the Council of Europe, Mr. Nils Muižnieks released a report on women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights in Europe. The document provides an overview of the obligation of European countries under international and European laws in terms of...
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The 2017 Freedom of Thought Report is out!
Posted on the 05/12/17Today, the International Humanist and Ethical Union published its yearly Freedom of Thought Report, an outstanding account of the situation of freedom of thought in the world. The report, the 7th of its kind, is broken down into countries and for each country a number of elements are analyzed...
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EHF humanist meeting and conference in Valencia!
Posted on the 23/11/17On 17 November, the European Humanist Federation took part in a conference co-organized with EHF members Associació per a l’Humanisme and Valencia Laica in Valencia, Spain. This humanist afternoon was centered around a working meeting with Spanish organisations sharing the EHF’s values as well...
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Polish Secularity Manifesto signed by 8 Polish parties
Posted on the 30/10/17The EHF provided its support to the organisation of a Polish initiative, the Secularity Congress which was held in Warsaw on 21st and 22nd October. The congress was organized by an association composed of the representatives of numerous secularist NGOs, including Polish EHF’s humanist and rationalist...
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IHEU and EHF support asylum application of Iraqi atheist activist
Posted on the 25/10/17Yesterday, the EHF and its sister organisation the International Humanist and Ethical Union, in collaboration with their Greek member organisation, the Humanist Union of Greece, drafted a letter to call on the Greek authorities to grant asylum to Mr. Karrar Dwood Hamza, a well known Iraqi atheist who...
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Our new logo and new website are now live!
Posted on the 17/10/1726 years ago, our organisation was founded out of the need to unite humanist, secular, laïque, rationalist, skeptical, etc. voices in Europe. Since then, the humanist family has grown a lot and unites today more than 60 member organisations from Portugal to Finland, from Iceland to Cyprus, united...
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EHF at the annual congress of the Luca Coscioni Association for the freedom of scientific research
Posted on the 16/10/17The annual congress of the EHF member organization the Associazione Luca Coscioni per la Libertà di Ricerca Scientifica (Association for the freedom of scientific research) took place at the Molecular Biotechnology Centre of the University of Turin, with the intervention of many prominent scientists...
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EHF President’s speech at the 2017 Congress of the International Association of Free Thought
Posted on the 16/10/17EHF President Giulio Ercolessi was invited to the 8th Congress of the International Association of Free Thought organised in Paris between 21 and 24 September. During his speech, the EHF President emphaiszed the importance for all humanist, secularist, laïque, free thinker, skeptical, rationalist...
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AllOfUs sends letter to Lithuanian authorities over draft bill on abortion
Posted on the 10/10/17On 20 September, the Committe of Human Rights of the Seimas, the Lithuanian Parliament, revived discussion on a so-called "Law on the protection of a life in a pre-natal phase” also known as the “abortion ban bill”. Currently, abortions in Lithuania are allowed up to the 12th week of pregnancy...
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The EHF contributes to shaping UN understanding of what the right to life means
Posted on the 06/10/17On 5 October, the EHF submitted a contribution to the UN’s Human Rights Committee, a body currently working on the UN’s own understanding of what the “right to life” means. The topics highlighted were access to safe a legal abortion, the fact that the right to die in dignity should be seen...
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EHF declaration on the events in Catalonia
Posted on the 04/10/17Echoing its Spanish and Catalan Member Organisations, the European Humanist Federation is concerned by the events taking place in Catalonia and regrets the recent escalation. The EHF does not take position on the merits of a dispute that concerns the “form of state” provided for by the existing...
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International Safe Abortion Day: photos from the Brussels mobilization
Posted on the 03/10/1728 September was the Global Action Day for Safe and Legal Abortion and all around the world demonstrations were held for securing this fundamental right that many women in the world are still denied. The EHF took part in the mobilization in Brussels. We propose below a set of the best slogans at...
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International Safe Abortion Day – a personal contribution by Giulio Ercolessi
Posted on the 02/10/17At the occasion of the Global Action Day for Safe and Legal Abortion, Giulio Ercolessi, President of the EHF, proposes his analysis of a thesis commonly promoted by extremist religious groups: that the embryo is a human being. --- The Embryo is not One of Us A house is burning and on the brink ...
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EHF joins common statement of 285 organisations in favour of global access to safe and legal abortion
Posted on the 25/09/17Today the EHF joined 285 organisations from around the world to denounce the effects of the prohibition of abortion in a number of countries worldwide. The statement which was delivered under agenda item 8 at the 36th session of the UN's Human Rights council stresses the fact that each year 22 Million...
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EHF calls on U.N. to protect women’s lives and rights
Posted on the 19/09/17During the 36th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council*, EHF denounced the persistent human rights violations arising from the denial of sexual and reproductive rights for women and transgender people in Europe and worldwide. As a lucky woman whose sexual and reproductive rights have...
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EHF urges OSCE member States to protect non-believers from discrimination
Posted on the 14/09/17During a meeting on Tolerance and non-discrimination at the OSCE’s Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM)* in Warsaw, the European Humanist Federation (EHF) urged Member States to protect non-believers, atheists and free-thinkers from discrimination and persecution. EHF President Giulio...
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EHF meets Estonian Council Presidency
Posted on the 30/08/17Estonia is currently holding the European Council Presidency since July 2017. On 29 August, EHF President Giulio Ercolessi and EHF Executive Director Pierre-Arnaud Perrouty met Matti Maasikas, the Estionian Minister for European Union Affairs in Tallinn. Among the issues that were discussed was ...
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EHF signs joint letter on asylum-seeker family reunification
Posted on the 26/07/17Following the identificaiton of a recent practice by German authorities according to which, asylum seekers entitled to be transferred to Germany under the relevant provisions of the Dublin III Regulation, are “blocked’ in Greece for periods exceeding the deadlines provided by the above mentioned...
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EHF calls on Bangladesh government to respect secularism and protect its people
Posted on the 12/07/17On 11 July, the EHF contributed to a meeting on ''Countering extreme violence: Global context and Bangladeshi diaspora” organised by the European Bangladesh Forum in Brussels. Violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief and freedom of speech have dramatically increased over the past...
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EHF President speaks at Italian conference on LGBT refugees
Posted on the 26/06/17EHF president Giulio Ercolessi took part on Friday in the Italian Chamber of Deputies in a conference called to mark the tenth anniversary of the law granting humanitarian protection to LGBT asylum seekers in Italy. The conference was called at the initiatve of the two former MPs – Franco Grillini...
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Humanists at UN highlight freedom of religion or belief and the rights of non believers worldwide
Posted on the 20/06/17On 20th June, the European Humanist Federation, together with the International Humanist and Ethical Union, urged UN member states to better protect freedom of religion or belief including non-believers’ rights worldwide as a way to foster mutual understanding. This declaration was made during...
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EHF speaks up at UN for protection of sexual and reproductive health and rights
Posted on the 19/06/17On 19th June, the European Humanist Federation called on UN member states and especially European Member states to comply with their human rights obligations and to secure women’s sexual and reproductive rights in law and practice. This statement was given at the Human Rights Council 35th session...
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Humanists meet with European Commission for frank and constructive dialogue over the future of Europe
Posted on the 17/06/17At the invitation of First Vice-President Frans Timmermans, the European Humanist Federation (EHF) and some of its member organisations*, met today with the European Commission and the European Parliament to discuss the future of Europe. Humanists welcome this opportunity for a High Level dialogue...
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IHEU and EHF send joint letter for protection of Sultana Kamal
Posted on the 15/06/17Today, the EHF and the IHEU, co-signed a letter addressed to Ján Figel, Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU, calling on him act for the protection of Bangladeshi human rights defender Sultana Kamal over threats by Islamist hardline group Hefazat-e-Islam. ...
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The EHF holds its General Assembly and Annual Conference
Posted on the 23/05/17Brussels, 23 May 2017 – Humanists from all over Europe are coming home from Wroclaw, Poland where the EHF held its 2017 General Assembly on Friday followed by a two-days conference entitled Humanism and Rationalism: current challenges and ideas for the future. During the General Assembly, members...
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The EHF joins European Civil Society in expressing solidarity to Hungarian NGOs
Posted on the 24/04/17On 7 April, after rushing through Parliament a law rendering the functioning of one of Hungary's most successful universities, the Central European University, impossible, the Hungarian government tabled a new law regulating NGOs which aims at stigmatising NGOs that receive funding from aborad. This...
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The EHF releases its Humanist Vision for Europe
Posted on the 25/03/17The European Union is 60 years old! For the first time in history, EU citizens have been safeguarded for six decades from the tendency of European states to make war to each other. Never has a common project allowed peoples of Europe to learn more about each other and exchange so much, both economically...
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EHF European Freedom of Thought Quiz
Posted on the 24/03/17Saturday 25 March 2017 marks the 60th Anniversary of the EU! In six decades, many things have changed: from a continent traumatized by the horrors of the Second World War, Europe has evolved into one of the most prosperous and freest regions in the world. In terms of human rights especially, ...
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EU meeting with the Pope sends the wrong signal to millions of non Catholic citizens
Posted on the 17/03/17French below On 24 March, Heads of State and Government of the European Union will meet Pope Francis in Rome ahead of the EU Summit dedicated to discuss the future of Europe. In the words of Joseph Muscat, Prime Minister of Malta – the Member State currently holding the EU Presidency – Pope...
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Hate messages turned into funding for abortion #IWD2017
Posted on the 08/03/17For the Internation Women's Day, the EHF wanted to serve some good news and we thought that this wonderful story would bring some happiness to our communnity. Nowadays, when it sometimes feels like ignorance is bliss, it is good to remember the power of facts. This is particularly true regarding ...
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The EHF joins the international coalition against Trump’s Global Gag Rule
Posted on the 16/02/17The EHF joins the international coalition against President Trump’s reinstatement of the so-called Mexico City Policy, also known as the Global Gag Rule, intended to block federal funding for international groups that provide access to (or information about) medical abortions. This policy has been...
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Save Ahmad Djalali
Posted on the 08/02/17Dr Ahmadreza Djalali has been working in the field of disaster medicine since 1999 and has written dozens of scientific papers on the subject. In 2009, he left Iran to study at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden to complete a PhD program. Since, he is a regular teacher of the European Master in Disaster...
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Humanists and civil rights activists mourn and celebrate life of Ramon Casha
Posted on the 23/01/17We are deeply saddened by the death of Ramon Casha, chair of the Malta Humanist Association, and a campaigner of terrific energy, scope and commitment. Ramon, 47, died yesterday (Sunday 23 January) from medical complications arising from a road accident which occurred in July 2016. Ramon campaigned...
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Read the brand new report on anti-choice lobbyists in Europe!
Posted on the 19/01/17Brussels, 12 January 2017 – MEP Heidi Hautala (Finland, Greens) hosted the launch of a new report drafted by consultant Elena Zacharenko compiling everything that one must know about anti-choice lobbyists and groups in Europe. It bears the title Perspectives on anti-choice lobbying in Europe. ...
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End Greek Blasphemy Laws campaign continues
Posted on the 17/01/17The campaign to abolish blasphemy laws in Greece continues in 2017. A very promising development is the fact that Ms. Maria Yannakaki was appointed as the Secretary-General for Transparency and Human Rights at the Ministry of Justice of Greece. M. Yannakaki spoke at the EHF’s General Assemble in...
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The 2016 Freedom of Thought Report is now available!
Posted on the 06/12/16Jump to the report right away: http://freethoughtreport.com. Too many people have “narrowly defined views on religious freedom”, leading to the exclusion of humanists, atheists and the non-religious from human rights protections. This is the view of the United Nations’ recently appointed...
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EHF signs Civil Society Statement on Future Of Europe with 176 other organisations
Posted on the 12/09/16Today, the EHF has joined 176 other civil society organisations in signing a common statement on the Future of Europe ahead of EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker's State of the Union Address to be held at the European Parliament on Wednesday 14 September. The Statement is also addressed towards...
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Greek Blasphemy Laws under the spotlight of UN CERD Committee
Posted on the 31/08/16The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination endorses recommendations jointly submitted by the Humanist Union of Greece, the European Humanist Federation and the International Humanist and Ethical Union. The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) is the UN body...
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EHF holds two high-level meetings with European Commission
Posted on the 08/07/16In June, the European Humanist Federation met the European Commission at two occasions in the framework of the “Article 17 Dialogue” stemming from the article 17 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) requiring that a dialogue be established between the EU and religious as...
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4 weeks to go until European Humanist Youth Days 2016
Posted on the 01/07/16Get ready for the European Humanist Youth Days 2016! A mix of interesting lectures, debates with 100+ fellow young Europeans and of course partying and a lot of fun! From July 29 to 31, the European Humanist Youth Days will take place in Utrecht, The Netherlands. Don't miss it! The first edition...
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UN: IHEU and Danish Humanist Society call on Denmark to abolish blasphemy law
Posted on the 24/06/16Humanists told the UN Human Rights Council on 24 June that “the state-church institution is fundamentally unfair” in Denmark as elsewhere, and called for the abolition of the Danish “blasphemy” law. On behalf of the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) and the Danish Humanist Society...
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Launch of High Ground Alliance for Choice and Dignity in Europe
Posted on the 03/06/16On 2 June, together with five other international NGOs, the EHF launched High Ground, The Alliance for Choice and Dignity in Europe at the European Parliament. High Ground was formed to work toward a European legal and political landscape which secures and enables the full realization of human...
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Maltese Humanists, EHF and IHEU hold #Humanists2016 weekend in Malta
Posted on the 23/05/16The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) and the European Humanist Federation (EHF) held their respective General Assemblies in Valetta (Malta) this weekend, hosted by the Malta Humanist Association. Over 100 delegates from all over Europe joined the EHF’s General Assembly on 20 May. ...
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The EHF releases its annual report
Posted on the 11/05/16The EHF's annual report is out! Learn about all the activities undertook by the EHF this year: from promoting secularism and humanism Europe-wide to campaigning for free speech, defending women’s rights as well as sexual and reproductive health and rights, providing humanist services and working...
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EHF joins 15 NGOs calling the UN to investigate murders in Bangladesh
Posted on the 03/05/16Joint statement issued in the perspective of the 32nd UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva (June 2016) UN: Investigate Writer and Activist Murders in Bangladesh We, the undersigned organizations dedicated to the promotion of human rights, free expression, and freedom of belief, call on governments...
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Apply for the 2016 Henri La Fontaine Prize for Humanism
Posted on the 02/05/16The European Humanist Federation is pleased to support the call for application for the 2016 Henri La Fontaine Prize for Humanism. This prize, awarded by the Henri La Fontaine Foundation, is intended to honor individuals, institutions or public or private bodies contributing significantly to the ...
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Speak out against religious fundamentalism in Bangladesh!
Posted on the 02/05/16On 3 May 2016, the EHF signed a joint statement by 26 Civil Society Organisations and a number of academics, intellectuals and human rights advocates from Bangladesh and around the world. The document denounces recent extremist violence against and the murder of free thinkers and non-Islamic believers...
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Two LGBTI activists are latest victims of serial killings in Bangladesh
Posted on the 26/04/16Source: IHEU, 25 April Two LGBT activists have been hacked to death at a house in Kalabagan, Dhaka. Xulhaz Mannan was editor of the LGBT magazine Roopbaan and widely recognised for his gay rights activism. He had previously worked as protocol officer at the US embassy in Dhaka.Tanay Fahim...
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Money vs people: Europe shameful deal
Posted on the 16/03/16Ahead of the European Council meeting in Brussels on 17-18 March 2016, the European Humanist Federation calls on the Council to fully respect its human rights commitments and to open safe ways to Europe for asylum seekers. As humanists, we are committed to the building of a more open, ...
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Holy alliance against freedom?
Posted on the 16/02/16For the first time since the schism of the two religions in the 11th century, Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, met last Friday Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill in an historic exercise of “religious unity”. Their joint declaration is another missed opportunity to re-connect with...
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Bangladesh Alternative Book Fair & conference in The Hague
Posted on the 10/02/16On February 21, 2016, The Hague Peace Projects and Mukto-Mona in collaboration with the IHEU are organizing the “Bangladesh Alternative Book Fair” in The Hague. An open event supported by EHF in solidarity with exiled and threatened Bangladeshi humanists and intellectuals. There will...
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Mr Orbán, it’s time to play by the rules!
Posted on the 01/12/15The organizing committee of the European Citizens’ Initiative* “Wake up Europe ! Act4democracy” which aims at protecting European democratic values is pleased to announce that the initiative was officially registered by the European Commission on 30 November 2015. This petition was launched...
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European Parliament urges Bangladesh government to protect humanist writer but turns a blind eye on blasphemy law
Posted on the 26/11/15On 26 November, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning severe violations of freedom of expression and horrific violence against secularist writers, publishers and bloggers in Bangladesh. However, MEPs kept silent on the very harsh national blasphemy-like legislations. These last...
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Do not let them kill the values we are proud of!
Posted on the 18/11/15French below Friday’s atrocity in Paris has left the world shaken, stupefied, and appalled at the deaths of so many innocent people. Many have awoken to a strange new realisation that the targets of terrorism are not simply strategic sites or public figures, but ordinary human beings, regardless...
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Bangladesh suffers two more Islamist attacks against free thinkers: government keeps on failing to protect its people
Posted on the 04/11/15The dramatic war against freedom or beliefs and freedom of expression continues to make more victims in Bangladesh. After multiples attacks against humanist bloggers and the recent murders of four of them, Islamist groups have continued their macabre witch-hunt against proponents of secularism and...
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Wake up Europe! Humanists launch a European citizens’ initiative to sanction Hungary!
Posted on the 02/10/15Visit official website here : www.act4democracy.eu This European Citizens' Initiative was launched by a comitee of 9 citizens from 8 European countries and is coordinated by the European Humanist Federation....
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EHF urges OSCE States to legalise abortion and stop considering women as second class citizens
Posted on the 30/09/15This call follows a serie of setbacks regarding abortion right and women's sexual and reproductive rights in several European countries where abortion is legal. In Spain, the Parliament just passed a law removing any legal possibility to abort for the 10% of vulnerable young women who need to abort...
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UN Human Rights Council: EHF criticise Catholic Church over failure to address child sex abuse
Posted on the 22/09/15During the 30th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the European Humanist Federation (EHF) and the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) have issued a joint written statement and an oral statement raising the Holy See’s (HS) continued failure to protect the rights of...
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Europe must welcome refugees and sanction failing countries
Posted on the 09/09/15The European Humanist Federation (EHF) calls on EU leaders to implement a coordinated and human rights based response to welcome refugees and to initiate sanctions against Member States violating EU values. As many civil society organisations, the European Humanist Federation (EHF) is highly concerned...
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Gender equality at school: support education as a tool for change!
Posted on the 03/09/15Joint call to support the Rodrigues report Dowload the call in EN| FR Civil society and human rights organisations call Members of the European Parliament to support the report on “Empowering girls through education in the EU” in the plenary vote on 8 September. This report proposes actions...
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Huge alliance protests government response to Bangladesh blogger murders
Posted on the 20/08/15Following the brutal murders of Bangladeshi secular writers by islamist groups these last months, bloggers, free speech campaigners, humanist, religious and ex-Muslims organisations, all unite to protest (see the open letter below). These past months, the EHF received many calls for help from secular...
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Humanists discuss the right to life at United Nations
Posted on the 17/07/15In a UN meeting very well attended by anti-choice organisations, the EHF and IHEU urged the UN Human Rights Committee to reaffirm that the right to life - as defined by article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights '(ICCPR) - begins at birth and not at conception. Humanists...
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Speak Out for Bangladesh Bloggers
Posted on the 23/06/15Violations of the right to freedom of religion or belief and freedom of speech have dramatically increased over the past few years in Bangladesh. This year, four secular and humanist bloggers were hacked to death by islamist groups for “insulting Islam”. Niladri Chatterjee (Niloy Neel), Ananta ...
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Landmark vote for gender quality, sexual and reproductive rights and LGBTI rights at the European Parliament
Posted on the 10/06/15In a landmark vote, the European Parliament (EP) adopted yesterday a resolution calling for an EU Strategy for equality between women and men. This resolution was authored by German S&D MEP Maria Noichl. The European Humanist Federation welcomes this important move from citizens' representatives...
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EHF strongly condemns recent attack on Zeljko Peratovic
Posted on the 09/06/15The EHF strongly condemns a recent attack on Zeljko Peratovic, journalist and vice president of our member organisation the Center for Civil Courage. He was severely beaten, suffocated and hit in the head which left an open wound on his forehead. After he was taken to the hospital, the perpetrators...
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Athens 2015 : EHF GA and conference
Posted on the 22/05/15On 15 and 16 May 2015, the EHF held its 2015 General Assembly and annual conference in Athens with more than 70 members' representatives from 20 European countries. This event was jointly organised with our member the Humanist Union of Greece. Strengthening and expanding the EHF network These...
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How to strenghten humanism in Eastern Europe? Young humanists meet in Bucharest for 3 days workshops
Posted on the 29/04/15More than 60 young humanists gathered in Bucharest from 24 to 26 April on the invitation of the Romanian Humanist Association to discuss the challenges faced by Eastern, Baltic, Caucasus and Southeastern countries regarding humanism and secularism. In most of these countries, the influence of churches...
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IHEU on the important relationship between freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief
Posted on the 13/03/15In the wake of the Paris and Copenhagen killings and the murder of Avijit Roy, today at the UN Human Rights Council, the IHEU’s Head of Delegation to Council, Elizabeth O’Casey delivered a statement on the important relationship between freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief (...) ...
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European Parliament commits to gender equality and women sexual and reproductive rights
Posted on the 11/03/15Civil society and human rights organisations welcome the adoption of the Report on Equality between women and men in the EU (2013) authored by MEP Marc Tarabella. Despite numerous falsehoods and emotional manipulation spread by anti-human-rights organisations about the Report, the European Parliament...
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Equality between women and men in the EU: Let’s move forward!
Posted on the 06/03/15Joint call from civil sociey oganisations to support the Tarabella report Civil society and human rights organisations call MEPs to support the Report on Equality between women and men in the EU (2013) in the plenary vote on 10 March 2015. This report addresses persistent or increasing deadlocks...
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Manifesto of the Russian Humanists
Posted on the 20/02/15Humanity and the ideas of Humanism are an inseparable part of social consciousness, all institutions of a democratic society, its economy and state system, morals and law, and the system of labor relations and social guarantees. Humanism proclaims the worth of the individual, his unique role in...
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Attacks in Copenhagen: freedom of expression once again targeted
Posted on the 16/02/15Once again, freedom of expression has been targeted in Europe as a terrorist shot attendees at a seminar on 'Art, Blasphemy and Freedom of Expression” and people at a synagogue in Copenhagen. Our thoughts go to the victims and their families and to the Danish people. We strongly condemn this attack...
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End Blasphemy Laws: New EHF – IHEU Campaign
Posted on the 30/01/15The European Humanist Federation (EHF) and the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) together with several national partners call to abolish blasphemy laws worldwide. In the European Union, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Spain, France (in Alsace Moselle), Finland, Germany, Greece...
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Charlie Hebdo attack: Freedom of expression murdered
Posted on the 07/01/15In the face of the horror and the hatred, we feel deeply saddened but also a profound anger. We strongly condemn this ferocious attack against freedom of expression and freedom at all and express our deep solidarity to those who continuously and bravely defended our core democratic values with...
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EHF meets with Latvian Council Presidency
Posted on the 07/02/14On 4 February, EHF President Pierre Galand met with Under-Secretary of State for European Affairs Inga Skujina in Riga. This meeting, held in the framework of the Latvian Council Presidency (January- July 2015) was organised under Article 17 of the TFEU which commits EU institution to hold a regular...