Category - civil rights

Laws against blasphemy are an offence

Press Office — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 11:12:33 +0100

Commenting on the passing into Irish law of an offence of "blasphemous libel", Simon Barrow, co-director of the religion, society and politics thinktank Ekklesia, said:

Black churches condemn Home Office decision on holding DNA of innocent

staff writers — Fri, 08 May 2009 07:31:27 +0100

Black church leaders and community groups have joined protests from civil rights campaigners over the UK government’s decision to retain DNA profiles on close to a million innocent people for up to 12 years.

New discourse on human rights needed, says Liberty chief

staff writers — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 10:44:00 +0000

A renewed popular discourse on fundamental human rights for all is needed in the face of the erosion of civil liberties by governments and corporate power, said the director of Liberty this morning.

Campaigners deplore impact of national DNA database on black communities

staff writers — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:14:23 +0100

Black community and church leaders are backing a symposium next week at the House of Commons on the over-representation of African Caribbean people on the national criminal DNA database.

Black clergy in USA say gays face same rights struggle as black people

staff writers — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:51:29 +0100

Two senior black United Methodist clergy in the USA, also longtime civil-rights advocates, say there are parallels between the struggles of blacks in the 1960s and those of gays and lesbians working for full inclusion in the church today.

Sikhs continue to press French President and Indian PM on turban issue

staff writers — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 09:50:01 +0000

United Sikhs, a UN affiliated international advocacy NGO, joined other civil rights organizations over the weekend in asking Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to discuss the Sikh turban issue in France with President Sarkozy.

Jesse Jackson calls for more black students at UK universities

Ecumenical News International — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 01:01:19 +0000

US civil rights leader the Rev Jesse Jackson, speaking at the launch in Oxford of a programme aimed at increasing the number of black students in higher education, has challenged universities to reflect the diversity of society.

Malyasia concern about government and freedom of belief

Ecumenical News International — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 13:32:42 +0100

Malaysian Christians have expressed fresh worries that the government may be infringing the basics of religious freedom, after the country's deputy prime minister described Malaysia as "an Islamic state"

US churches continue push for children's economic rights

staff writers — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 17:13:55 +0100

Leaders of 20 national American religious organizations are continuing to press the US Congress this month (June 2007), urging expanded funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Programme (SCHIP).

The position of the non-religious in Britain

Simon Barrow — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 09:24:13 +0100

Members of the UK's House of Lords will today (19 April 2007) discuss the position and rights of the non-religious in Britain today.