The application deadline for the current round of IHEU-HIVOS grants is approaching. The closing date is 30 September 2008. Full details of the grants and how to apply are available here.

Join Humanists, Freethinkers, human rights activists, intellectuals from Nigeria and Overseas to discuss and debate on how to eradicate caste discrimination and untouchability in the world. Sponsorships are available for victims of caste discrimination and untouchability in Nigeria.

In a landmark interview, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, the new Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal has spoken to IHEU of the new administration’s commitment to secularism. “We will introduce Constitutional measures to protect Secularism”, he told Babu Gogineni.

Untouchability persists in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Yemen and Nigeria. Nearly 250 million persons are directly affected by this disease. It is time for the world to take note and to eradicate this heinous practice. Calling Victims, Rights Activists, Academics and Governments to contribute to, and to participate in, the First World Conference on Untouchability.

The August 2008 issue of International Humanist News has been published. This edition includes features on the 2008 World Humanist Congress; and Humanism in Europe. We have:

• the full text (now available),


• a PDF version with full layout and pictures and


• back numbers from the last 14 years

available on this web site.

Four French Member Organizations of IHEU want to reaffirm the principles of secularism on the occasion of the announcement of the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to France, September 12 -15, at the invitation of the Bishops’ Conference of France. This visit is aimed at “celebrating the 150th anniversary of the first apparition of the Blessed Virgin to Bernadette Soubirous in the grotto of Lourdes”.

In an illustrated article on the occasion of India's Independence Day, Babu Gogineni highlights the superstitious obstacles to India's progress and warns of the dangers of departing from the path of reason.

IHEU's campaign for freedom of expression at the UN Human Rights Council has been highlighted by Macleans, the Canadian news magazine. In a wide-ranging article concluding that Islamic states are trying to stifle freedom of speech in the guise of anti-defamation rules, the magazine quoted the recent ruling at the Council that NGOs could not refer to Sharia law.

IHEU member organization The Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain presents its first international conference: "Political Islam, Sharia Law, and Civil Society" on Friday 10 October 2008 (International day against the Death Penalty) 10am-6pm.

IHEU has condemned recent aggression against prominent Humanist Mr C L N Gandhi, including abuse based on his birth caste. Mr Gandhi is Additional Commissioner of Road Transport, Andhra Pradesh State, India.