Four new member organisations were admitted to IHEU at the 2008 General Assembly: the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain; the Society for Humanism (SOCH) Nepal; the Tarksheel Society Punjab; and the Asian Rationalist Society Britain.

Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain

Non-believer and atheist ex-Muslims established the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain a year ago to insist that no one be pigeonholed as Muslim with culturally relative rights nor deemed to be represented by regressive Islamic organisations and 'Muslim community leaders'. Those of us who have come forward with our names and photographs represent countless others who are unable or unwilling to do so because of the threats faced by those considered 'apostates' - punishable by death in countries under Islamic law. By doing so, we are breaking the taboo that comes with renouncing Islam but also taking a stand for reason, universal rights and values, and secularism. Whilst religion or the lack thereof is a private affair, the increasing intervention of and devastation caused by religion and particularly Islam in contemporary society has necessitated our public renunciation and declaration. We represent a majority in Europe and a vast secular and Humanist protest movement in countries like Iran.

The council’s aims are:

1. Universal rights and equal citizenship for all. We are opposed to cultural relativism and the tolerance of inhuman beliefs, discrimination and abuse in the name of respecting religion or culture.

2. Freedom to criticise religion. Prohibition of restrictions on unconditional freedom of criticism and expression using so-called religious 'sanctities'.

3. Freedom of religion and atheism.

4. Separation of religion from the state and legal and educational system.

5. Prohibition of religious customs, rules, ceremonies or activities that are incompatible with or infringe people's rights and freedoms.

6. Abolition of all restrictive and repressive cultural and religious customs which hinder and contradict women's independence, free will and equality. Prohibition of segregation of sexes.

7. Prohibition of interference by any authority, family members or relatives, or official authorities in the private lives of women and men and their personal, emotional and sexual relationships and sexuality.

8. Protection of children from manipulation and abuse by religion and religious institutions.

9. Prohibition of any kind of financial, material or moral support by the state or state institutions to religion and religious activities and institutions.

10. Prohibition of all forms of religious intimidation and threats.

Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain can be contacted at

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Nepal is the poorest country in the world. About fifty percent of the population is illiterate. Society is guided by many orthodox and irrational traditions. It is fully dominated by Hindu customs and rituals. Because of a long dictatorial and family regime, Nepal is suffering from many social problems. One of the biggest ills is the caste system. The lower castes are victims of slavery and untouchability apart from economic deprivation. They are still socially excluded.

In this situation, it is a challenge to promote a Humanist movement in Nepali society. There seem to be too many problems to combat at the same time. It is hard to prioritise. Focusing on a single issue is not enough to change society.

On the other hand, recent political changes make the future of Nepal more optimistic. After 10 years of Maoist insurgency, major political parties including Maoists jointly protested against the royal regime and they succeeded in giving power to the people. They formed a joint government of seven political parties having their own code of conduct and agreement. Nepal was declared a 'secular' country. Before then, Nepal was the only Hindu state in the world. Even now Hindu fundamentalists and other reactionary forces are against the emerging Republic of Nepal. A group of Hindu fundamentalists is threatening to start an underground war against the current declarations. The socio-political environment of Nepal is going through a transition. We Humanists have decided to make efforts at this time to shape Nepal in a Humanistic way.

Society for Humanism (SOCH) Nepal is an active youth Humanist organisation promoting Humanist values in Nepali society. It has been registered as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Nepal. SOCH has been granted associate membership by IHEU. SOCH Youth is also a member of IHEYO. SOCH Nepal is working on two levels: policy making and local level. At the policy making level; it lobbies, advocates and creates pressure on the government to formulate Humanistic laws. SOCH Nepal is also focused on promoting awareness at the grassroots. SOCH has also started its own saving and credit cooperatives for sustainability of Humanists and clients.

SOCH is currently focusing on the following major activities for promotion of Humanism in Nepal.

1. Publications:

a. Hand Book of Humanism

SOCH Nepal has published a 50 page hand-book of Humanism in Nepali language. This is the only literature in Nepali that offers basic understanding of Humanism. The hand book has been useful to all individuals, especially the youth, who are seeking Humanist ideas.

b. Bulletins

SOCH Nepal has been publishing bulletins in Nepali and English independently. These cover articles by national and international Humanists, interviews, SOCH activities, summaries of SOCH-organised workshops, and speeches/writings of prominent and pioneering Humanists.

2. University and College Seminars

SOCH Nepal has been organising seminars at different universities and colleges every month. These are a part of the SOCH movement to disseminate Humanist ideas to the Nepalese people, especially youngsters. The subject of the seminars is ‘Humanist Life Stance and Critical Thinking’. SOCH volunteers facilitate the organisation of these seminars. SOCH youth initiates the seminars. It is encouraging that participants, at the end of the seminars, have been very enthusiastic and curious to learn more on the subject. Some of the participants find that unknown to themselves, they have been espousing Humanism. We are also collecting young members through seminars. SOCH has planned to reach massively into the up-country universities and colleges as soon as funds are available for such activities.

3. Discussion Series and Workshops

SOCH is conducting fortnightly discussion series on every alternate Friday at its office in Kathmandu. SOCH- Youth committee members are taking turns to coordinate the discussion program. It is focused on disseminating Humanist ideas, practices, thinking, and stances amongst the youth as these are still nascent in Nepal. College graduates, teenagers, knowledge seekers, institutional and organisational representatives, SOCH members, SOCH cooperative members are participants in the program. National guests like scientists, sociologists, religious and political leaders, and human rights activists have also participated. International Humanists from Norway and India have been special invitees. SOCH Nepal is organising frequent workshops focusing on separation of religion and politics to create pressure on policy makers.

4. Networking

SOCH Nepal has mooted the idea of forming a loose alliance of major political youth organisations for working for social transformation, Humanism, good governance and integrity. Seven major political student organisations are members of the alliance. SOCH Nepal expects the alliance to take Humanist philosophy and practice forward. At the same time SOCH Nepal is also working with concerned people for including Humanism in education and literature. SOCH Nepal is also meeting major religious leaders for an open discussion on tolerance between religions. This open discussion is helping to some extent in fostering religious tolerance.

5. Cooperatives:

SOCH has established Humanist cooperatives for the sustainability of Humanist movement in Nepal. SOCH envisions a financially empowered community through formation of cooperatives. Considering the economy as the major hurdle for development, SOCH proposes to go to the grassroots through cooperatives. Cooperatives will help to empower the rural community, particularly women. They can be used to promote income generating activities. Finally, cooperatives will be the basis of promotion of the Humanist movement.

Uttam Niraula is Executive Director, SOCH Nepal

Tarksheel (Rationalist) Society was established in the North Indian state of Punjab in 1984, to educate people about the evils of religion, the caste system, untouchability, superstitions and so-called miracles. Tarksheel Society embarked on a mission to assert the pre-eminence of reason and scientific temperament over all the hidebound assumptions and dogmas of the human race. It staunchly advocates the separation of religion and education, based on the real principles of secularism. Tarksheel Society is the voice of the people against all kinds of repression and exploitation. It endeavours to bring about equality, freedom and happiness for all of humanity.

Structure

TSP has a well-organised structure to achieve its aims and objectives. It has units in almost all the villages and towns of Punjab and a few surrounding areas. These units are elected by direct participation of all members of the unit. These preliminary units are controlled and guided by democratically elected bodies in the districts. The District Bodies are elected by the office bearers and all the members of the preliminary units. This whole set-up is overseen by the state body duly elected by the district bodies and the preliminary units.

Activities

The main emphasis of TSP is to propagate the philosophy of atheism, rationalism and free thought; therefore, to achieve the objective of disseminating knowledge about the evils of superstition and blind faith and developing scientific temperament in the masses, TSP organises public meetings, camps, seminars, conferences, study camps and melas (fairs). The TSP also publishes literature and a magazine called “TarkSheel”.

TSP has its own drama and cultural squads and magic show teams. TSP holds magic shows to tell people that magic is nothing but a sleight of hand. Through plays and scientific exhibitions, direct challenges and investigations, TSP exposes the charlatanry of the babas, swamis, ojhas, chellas, saints, astrologers and all other so-called masters of supernatural powers. TSP has also announced a cash award of two million rupees (about 50 thousand dollars) if a master of supernatural powers demonstrates his miracles under fraud-proof conditions.

TSP has its own teams who shoulder the responsibility of getting treatment for mentally deranged individuals. TSP has solved about 300 cases involving bricks/stones being thrown in houses, burning and tearing of clothes, and missing precious and valuable articles like gold and silver ornaments. It has also treated 40,000 cases of psychologically ill patients who were allegedly possessed by ‘evil spirits’.

The activities of TSP are mainly confined to the state of Punjab in India but now and then it also operates in the neighbouring states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

Gurinder Singh Azad is Assistant Co-ordinator of the National/International Coordination Department, Tarksheel (Rationalist) Society Punjab.

Asian Rationalist Society Britain (ARSB)

ARSB holds public meetings and solves cases where people believe they are under a spell or some black magic. It also helps people with mental illness in the Asian community in England. Members of ARSB are regularly invited on local television and radio talk shows. ARSB has also released audio cassettes and CD’s of songs and lectures relating to ARSB’s aims and objectives.