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July 23rd, 2021 The UK Government has used its powers to order the Northern Ireland Executive to commission abortion services. It made the move after some parties’ opposition in Stormont led to continued delay to the rollout of abortion services in Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland Humanists welcomed the decision as vital progress for women’s rights. Abortion was decriminalised in Northern Ireland last year. The new legislation should have also led to the rollout of services. But disagreements between the five parties that make up the Executive meant that services were not centrally comm...

The High Court in Northern Ireland has granted a non-religious parent and child permission to challenge laws requiring faith-based Christian religious education (RE) and collective worship in all schools. Instead they want the curriculum and school assemblies to be taught in a way inclusive of those of other religions and beliefs. Northern Ireland Humanists campaigns […]

June 3rd, 2021 The Christian Institute has threatened legal action against the Northern Ireland Executive if a ban on so-called ‘conversion therapy’ is introduced that includes what it terms ‘prayer’. The Institute says such a ban would breach the rights of Christians. But Northern Ireland Humanists believes such a case may be ‘fundamentally flawed’. This is because manifestations of religious beliefs can be restricted if they harm others. Jason Coppel QC, acting for the Institute, said if the ban includes conversion therapy through ‘prayer, preaching, or pastoral work’, this ...

Humanist and Christian leaders have come together to urge as many people as possible to get vaccinated against Covid-19. The move, by the UK’s humanist movement and by Churches Together in England the Scottish Church Leaders Forum on behalf of their around 60 member churches, is being made now that everyone over 40 has been […]

April 19th, 2021 An exemption to equality law allowing schools in Northern Ireland to employ teachers on religious grounds may be challenged in Stormont, after the Chair of Stormont’s Education Committee launched a consultation into a proposed private members’ bill to ‘tackle’ the issue. The bill is being proposed by Alliance MLA Chris Lyttle. Northern Ireland Humanists – which campaigns for equal treatment of teachers regardless of religious background – welcomed the move and said the ‘grossly unfair’ exemption should be scrapped as soon as possible. Last month, members of th...