From the Executive Director

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Strict separation of religion and state alone provides the institutional guarantees for protection of the freedom of conscience. Yet, this separation is being steadily eroded in many parts of the world with disastrous consequences. In countries as diverse as Bangladesh, Slovakia and India, be it Islam, Christianity or Hinduism, religious doctrine in politicized form rather than human rights and values is influencing state policy. As a result, the most fundamental of our liberties – freedom of thought, liberty of expression, equality before the law, reproductive choice, access to unbiased education – are all under serious threat (see From the President, page 4). IHEU’s General Assembly meeting in May in Washington, DC (see page 5) decided therefore to focus on defending and promoting separation of religion and state as a priority in IHEU’s five-year strategic plan.

In many Islamic societies where the all-pervading Sharia law criminalizes the most basic of human activities and urges and metes out cruel, barbaric punishments, the very concept of separation of religion and state is considered a strange notion (see page 10). Lasting change or improvement can never be imposed – it has to come from within the community. So a recent campaign to uphold human rights in Islamic countries, launched by enlightened members of the Muslim community, will receive IHEU’s and its member organizations’ full support.

Summer is here in the northern hemisphere: many in the Humanist world marked International Humanist Day (the summer solstice, 21 June) with celebratory lunches, exhibitions and conferences. I had the pleasure of attending the first World Humanist Day Congress organized by the Dutch Humanist Alliance in Utrecht where the focus was on World Citizenship, War and Peace. There is a groundswell of support for IHEU from the Dutch Humanist organizations, which would like to help Humanism play an important role at the UN and other international institutions.

A strong organization, increased help to smaller Humanist groups through fundraising, and greater effectiveness at the international institutions are all part of our new president’s vision for IHEU. Roy Brown, who took over the IHEU presidency from Levi Fragell at the General Assembly, said in his acceptance speech, “In the coming years IHEU will work to achieve a higher profile in the media, with governments, and in public awareness on issues of separation of religion and state, in support of the victims of persecution, and to defend and promote the principles of Humanism.” I hope that together we can all ensure that this vision translates into reality.

Babu Gogineni