Humanist campaign challenges blasphemy laws

[muriel_volestrangler]

Blasphemy laws are being challenged in a new global campaign launched by a coalition of humanist organisations. The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) says that, in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attacks in France, the time is right for countries to abolish laws that protect religious sensibilities. But blasphemy laws nevertheless remain popular in many parts of the world.
...
"The idea that 'insult' to religion is a crime is why humanists like Asif Mohiuddin are jailed in Bangladesh, is why secularists like Raif Badawi are being lashed in Saudi Arabia, is why atheists and religious minorities are persecuted in places like Afghanistan, Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, Sudan, and the list goes on," she says.

Raif Badawi was sentenced to 1,000 lashes in May 2014 by a Saudi court after being found guilty of insulting Islamic religious figures on his blog.
...
Asia Bibi, a 50-year-old mother-of-five, has been on death row since 2010 after being convicted of insulting Islam during an argument over a glass of water.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-31047401

[flyingfysh]

1. This list leaves one out

The United States.

Massachusetts has had a blasphemy law on the books practically forever. Fortunately, it is never enforced.

[struggle4progress]

2. It is very old doctrine that a law may become legally unenforceable by a long enough unenforcement

[cbayer]

3. I had to look this up. The punishment was drilling a hole through

the offending tongue.

[rug]

4. What is their position on hate crimes?