IRISH HUMANISTS FIGHT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

New legislation in Ireland has put forward equal status for ethnic group, sexual orientation, or creed. But there has been exemption for the position of creed in schools. The Association of Irish Humanists has protested at this all-important exemption.

IN response to new Equal Status legislation in Ireland and to the current Peace Forum the Association of Irish Humanists are calling for integrated schools, removal of the ban on abortion, and an ethical slot on Irish radio. The AIH (Association of Irish Humanists) is lobbying the Irish Parliament and looking to contact the European Parliament to try to gain support for proposals which could over a period of time bring about an end to the long-standing religious conflict in Ireland.

The AIH has approached MPs to ask them to resist new Equal Status Legislation. They point out that Ireland is unique in having no public school system at primary level 'despite our schools being termed National Schools'. Unfortunately, the new legislation allows schools to continue to discriminate according to religion.

'The largest minority in the State, the nonreligious ethical minority, has no right of entry into any of the State funded schools with the exception of a few multi-denominational schools.' There are nearly 3000 religious schools to 10 integrated schools in the country. As a consequence parents are forced into lying about their beliefs in order to find schooling for their children. Census figures show that the number of people indicating they have no religion has grown from 39,572 in 1981 to 66,270 in 1991.

There is a huge unmet need for integrated education in the Republic as all public opinion polls show. Instead of providing public State schools to cater for the wishes of the people and ending the scandalous plight of the State's largest minority, capital investment to the amount of 19 million pounds per annum goes to privately owned primary (religious) schools.

IN a submission to the Peace Forum, the AIH has called for reforms to advance the achievement of a pluralist state and society in the Republic with eventual integration of North and South communities. They state, 'From our uniquely neutral position, belonging to neither of the conflicting religious communities of this land, we wish to place some suggested reforms of the Irish Republic before the Forum'.

Integrated schools are a key element in bringing about change. 'To reconcile our communities we must get to know one another and children being educated together is the key to that understanding and mutual respect. This educating together should be done at both primary and post-primary level.'

There has been an attempt by some parents to create integrated and secular education - but this 'places enormous and unacceptable fundraising and organisation burdens on individuals and is no substitute for State initiative and provision.'

It is important to have 'secular' as well as integrated schools, since the State is the only impartial party which could administer a nonreligious school system. Religious instruction takes up too much time in schools at present, especially at primary level and also with preparation for Holy Communion and Confirmation. 'Religious instruction should be a private matter for the family and should be attended to after school hours by the respective churches. Naturally students would still study Civics and Ethics along with Religion and other philosophies such as Humanism, which would be examined in a broad and comparative way.'

A change to an integrated system would involve the problem of the Church-owned buildings and land. 'If the Churches were reluctant to sell back such buildings to the State for a nominal sum, and if a system of compulsory purchase orders could not be introduced, then we would envisage a gradual phasing out of funds for sectarian schools and increased funding for integrated State schools.'

The AIH accepts that such changes might only be achieved gradually. Nevertheless, 'we believe that long-term reconciliation between the communities of this island placed education at the forefront of the issues to be addressed'.

The Irish Constitution reflects the theological position of the Catholic Church alone - and it is unfair to impose its doctrines on all the citizens. 'In particular the absolutist ban on divorce and abortion in any circumstances must be modified if the Republic is to avoid the appearance of being a Catholic State.' The total ban on abortion in law (unless threatening the life of the mother) creates problems in health treatment - for instance the absence of amniocentesis and the restriction on embryo freezing.

The AIH has also suggested that changes to broadcasting be considered - as a means of reducing conflict between North and South and as a means of giving just representation to all the people. At present the National Broadcasting Network broadcasts the Angelus on its main television and radio channels twice daily. The Matins slot which has for many years been representative has recently been confined to a religious expression with the exclusion of other ethical positions. The Angelus slot should either occasionally be given over to other beliefs and ethical positions or should be accompanied by a one minute religious or ethical broadcast which would reflect the diversity of Irish life.

The Association of Irish Humanists claim that new legislation will close the door to reform and be a 'disgraceful abuse of human rights'. They believe that long-term reconciliation between the communities of their island placed education at the forefront of the issues to be addressed. 'A secular state is one in which all religions and ethical positions are treated equally and in which the State is strictly neutral whilst protecting individual human rights. It is the only civilised modern solution to religious antagonism on this island as elsewhere.'