Some of the most egregious violations of human rights, including prosecutions for “blasphemy” and restrictions on women’s autonomy, occur in Islamic theocracies and Islamic republics. In these countries, secular reason defers to religious orthodoxy.
Under a philosophy that does not acknowledge the existence of universal human rights and instead classifies people’s worth by whether they belong to a religious tribe, this is deliberate. It leads to an atmosphere in which meaningful dissent is stifled, oppression based on religious doctrine is mandated, and truth is hidden from view. At their core, theocracies usurp the right of a country’s people to self-rule, instead placing that power with religious authorities.
The judgment of the world and the domain of government should be determined by empirical reality, rational deliberation, and the common good. Our vision is a world where religion is firmly a matter of private conscience and never involved in government.
The family of a gay man who had been working for Qatar Airways has publicized new information about the case the government is prosecuting against him. Manuel Guerrero Aviña, a “British-Mexican” man, was reportedly targeted by Qatari authorities posing as an interested man on Grindr. Manuel was subsequently arrested and charged with offenses related to drug possession. His family and human rights activists alike contend that he was targeted for his sexual orientation, denied medication for his HIV condition in custody, and pressured to reveal information about other gay men to the authorities during the 42 days he was imprisoned. He has been released pending trial, but without his passport, and his family reportedly wishes to see the UK government intervene to bring him home.
Ex-Muslims of North America’s (EXMNA) input has been included in the recent Report on Hatred on the Basis of Religion or Belief from the United Nations (UN) by the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. It will be read and discussed as an agenda item at the upcoming 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council which is scheduled to take place from February 26th to April 5th, 2024.