We're really excited for our #HolyoakeLecture with author, broadcaster, @ObserverUK columnist, & our patron – @kenanmalik. Join us in Manchester 16 Nov at the @FriendsMtgHouse. Limited early bird tickets left. Book yours today. 🎫
Very different questions have all emerged from today’s heated debates around race, identity and culture. The ‘culture wars’ have generated ferocious argument, but little clarity... #HolyoakeLecture
In this lecture, based on the themes of his upcoming book 'Not So Black and White' @kenanmalik seeks that clarity by taking the long view, explaining the real origins of ‘race’ in Western thought, and tracing its path from those beginnings to today’s fractious world.
In doing so, in this lecture Kenan will seek to upend many accepted views about ‘race’, identity, whiteness, and privilege. Book your tickets today. #HolyoakeLecture
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The #HumanRightsAct gives everyone the power to take legal action against the police (demonstrated by the victims of the rapist John Worboys). The #RightsRemovalBill diminishes this power, & with it, the ability to effectively hold the police to account. theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
Justice secretary Dominic Raab said: 'It is important that the police (and public authorities generally) are able to exercise their professional judgment in operational decision-making and the allocation of resources.'
'Licensing or promoting litigation against the police and other public services is not an effective means of ensuring accountability, but instead skews public attention, priorities and resources – decisions which should be taken by elected governments and MPs, not the courts.'
Our sister org @HumanistsInt today launched its 'Declaration of Modern Humanism' to mark its 70th anniversary. It sets out the values & principles which unites the global humanist movement. It has four sections, which we've broken down into a 🧵👇
Humanists strive to be ethical.
We accept that morality is inherent to the human condition, grounded in the ability of living things to suffer & flourish, motivated by the benefits of helping & not harming, enabled by reason & compassion, needing no source outside of humanity.
We affirm the worth and dignity of the individual and the right of every human to the greatest possible freedom and fullest possible development compatible with the rights of others. To these ends we support peace, democracy, the rule of law, and universal legal human rights.
Today we released this exposé, detailed here by @SerinaSandhu1@theipaper. 'Commitments to abortion and sexual health rights have been quietly removed by the Government from an international pact on freedom of belief and gender equality.'
'References to repealing discriminatory laws that threaten women’s “sexual and reproductive health and rights” and “bodily autonomy” have been removed from a statement published on the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) website.'
Reference to 'sexual and reproductive health & rights' & 'bodily autonomy' was deleted from a statement organised by the UK Govt. The statement was to show international solidarity, including on abortion rights at #FoRBMinisterial 5-6 July. humanists.uk/2022/07/19/abo…
Everyone should able to get married in a way, & a place, that best suits them & represents their honestly held beliefs. For 1000s of humanists couples in England/Wales, that isn't a registry office! The time is now to legally recognise humanist marriages. independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-n…
Unlike England & Wales, people in Scotland and Northern Ireland can have a legally recognise humanist wedding almost anywhere. Often this is a place meaningful to them – perhaps the place they met...
In England and Wales, though, the licensing around marriage relies of the wedding venue. During the pandemic the UK Govt extending legal recognition to outdoor civil marriages... but not to humanist marriages. This made no sense at the time and makes no sense now.
BREAKING: All reference to 'sexual and reproductive health & rights' & 'bodily autonomy' was deleted from a statement organised by the UK Govt. The statement was to show international solidarity, including on abortion rights at #FoRBMinisterial 5-6 July. humanists.uk/2022/07/19/abo…
The statement was issued by the UK as part of an #ForbMinisterial#forbforall. A total of 23 countries signed the joint statement before it was amended. Malta, which has the strictest stance on abortion in Europe, has signed the statement after abortion rights were removed.
This is deeply concerning & we are asking the UK Government for an explanation, and a reversal of the decision to omit abortion rights for the statement. In Malta there is an absolute ban on abortion in all circumstances, including rape, incest, and fatal foetal abnormalities.
No more delays, no more excuses. Now the Law Commission's report on marriage is finally out, the time for the UK Government to finally give legal recognition to humanist marriage in England and Wales is now.
Humanist weddings give non-religious couples the depth, flexibility, and authenticity they're looking for. They're legally recognised in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Jersey, Guernsey, and Ireland – but not in England & Wales!
Frustratingly, humanist couples must have a separate (often unwanted civil ceremony to be officially married. This is an absurd addition that need not be. Religious people don't have to do this. In 2020 the High Court ruled that this amounted to 'discrimination.'