The National Secular Society has welcomed a “historic” vote which brings the UK one step closer to ending blasphemy laws.
MLAs in Northern Ireland have voted to support an amendment to the Justice Bill to abolish the common law offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel. MLAs voted 57 in favour, 24 against.
NI is the last UK nation to retain blasphemy laws: they were abolished in England and Wales in 2008 and in Scotland in 2021. The NSS has campaigned to uphold freedom of expression and end blasphemy laws since its founding in 1866.
The NSS worked closely with Alliance MLA Connie Egan, who tabled the amendment. It also briefed MLAs before the vote, urging them to support the amendment.
The Justice Bill is expected to pass its final legislative stages this summer.
Free speech should not be restricted to “shield religious doctrine” from criticism
Other countries that have repealed blasphemy laws in recent years include France, Canada, Greece, Norway, New Zealand, Malta and Iceland.
By contrast, Humanists International’s 2024 Freedom of Thought Report found blasphemy or apostasy is punishable by death in ten countries, including Pakistan, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
Blasphemy laws are used to persecute religious minorities, the non-religious, those who leave or change their religion, or simply those who speak their mind.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe has recommended that “blasphemy, as an insult to a religion, should not be deemed a criminal offence”.
And a 2024 report from the UN Secretary-General concluded: “Any national restrictions to freedom of expression must be formulated with the sole purpose and outcome of protecting individuals, rather than to shield religious doctrine from critical review.”
NSS: ‘Historic step forward for freedom of expression and freedom of conscience’
National Secular Society chief executive Stephen Evans said: “The Assembly’s support for abolishing Northern Ireland’s blasphemy laws is a historic step forward for freedom of expression and freedom of conscience. These archaic provisions have no place in a modern democratic society.
“We are grateful to Connie Egan MLA for bringing forward this amendment and helping secure this important progress. Once completed, repeal will remove the last remaining blasphemy law in the UK, strengthen the UK’s voice in defending free speech and human rights internationally, and send a clear message that legal prohibitions on blasphemy belong firmly in the past.”
Connie Egan: Blasphemy has no place on the statute books
Speaking after the historic vote, Connie Egan MLA told the NSS: “I welcome the decision taken by the Northern Ireland Assembly today to officially add the repeal of blasphemy and blasphemy libel offences to Minister Long’s Justice Bill.
“Blasphemy has no place on the statute books of Northern Ireland, and this was a significant step in making their removal possible. These provisions are archaic, and are not reflective of modern society that respects freedom of, and freedom from, religion.”