At the meeting the principle issue which was of concern to those Humanists attending was the introduction by the Human Rights Council of a non-binding resolution on defamation of religion which invites countries to pass laws to stop defamation of religions.

What the problem with this is that firstly was it possible to use defamation in relation to religions or was it only appropriate to talk in terms of defaming an individual?  Secondly, and more importantly the resolutions can be seen as part of a wider campaign to impose values on the rest of the international community which are largely unacceptable in liberal democracies. 

Our speaker Dr Donn explained she was not representing the UN, rather the UNA which is a civil society organisation which tries to get the ethos of the UN (furthering peace, security and international co-operation) to the grassroots.  She was able to give us a good general background, and additionally expressed the view that in passing this resolution the United Nations was on a slippery slope.  Her personal view, as it had not been discussed by the Edinburgh UNA was that action needed to be taken to challenge the resolution and to stop it from progressing as far as the General Assembly.  She encouraged people to consider making representations to their elected members such as MPs, MSPs and MEPs. 

I had the feeling that while this issue concerned her once it was brought to her attention, but because there is such a huge range of issues to take up, and her priority currently was non-proliferation, she was going to rely on the Humanists to take up the defamation issue.  We will have to act, rather than pass the buck to the UNA.

So the meeting was indeed very relevant to Humanists, and the issue is one which should not just end at the end of the meeting.  Hopefully, some of those attending will have been sufficiently motivated and informed to take the next step of asking for those who we elect to do what is necessary to avoid the United Nations consolidating a religious world view.  This is something we Humanists do not want to see!

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