“Blasphemy!” It’s a crime we thought belonged in the history books, even though we knew it still survived in the world’s few remaining theocracies. Yet, to the surprise of many, 2010 began with headlines dominated by blasphemy battles across Europe and at the United Nations.

World Humanist Day is celebrated every year on June 21. The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is creating an information pack to help groups take full advantage of this opportunity to publicize the positive values of Humanism and to share the global concerns of the Humanist movement. And we could use your help with ideas and resources.

Since 1999 several resolutions entitled “Combating Defamation of Religions” have been adopted by various United Nations bodies, including the UN Commission on Human Rights, the new UN Human Rights Council and, in 2007 and 2008, by the UN General Assembly itself. A similar resolution is likely to come up before the General Assembly at the end of 2009.

Matt Cherry made this important speech on behalf of IHEU at a Conference at the United Nations Church Center convened by the UN NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief, The Columbia Center for the Study of Human Rights and The International Center for Law and Religion Studies at Brigham Young University.