On behalf of the General Assembly of the International Humanist and Ethical Union, gathered in Paris July 7th and 8th 2005, we utterly condemn the terrorist atrocities committed in London on July 7th. Our condolences go to the families, relatives and friends of the victims of these horrible acts.

We are encouraged to learn that the leaders of all major religions have denounced these attacks. The IHEU deplores the use of religious belief to justify violence and utterly condemns those who preach violence in the name of religion.

Whereas terrorism and counter-terrorism are both counter-productive and dangerously destabilising, and

Whereas humanist principles call for peaceful resolutions of al conflict and disputes between groups and countries,

The 1986 Humanist World Congress calls for non-violent equitable solutions to national and international conflicts and condemns anti-terrorist military strikes and terrorism of all kinds.

The International Humanist & Ethical Union, assembled at its 8th World Congress in Hanover, Federal Republic of Germany, August 1-5, 1982,

Considering that PLO members arrested in the Lebanese war by Israeli Defence Forces are captured under war circumstances and not because of specific terrorist acts,

Resolves that all PLO member arrested by Israeli Defence Forces in the Lebanese war should be recognised as prisoners of war and treated according to the Geneva Convention.

Humanists from all over the world, united in the International Humanist & Ethical Union, are shocked by the decrees of the Polish government, particularly by the proclamation of martial law, the establishment of a special military body, the arrests and the bringing up of numerous persons to court martial, as well as the bloodshed.

The IHEU indignantly protests against this violation of human rights and rights of freedom. It requests the Polish government to withdraw the proclaimed decrees immediately, to restore the citizens to their rights, as well as re-open negotiations with the leaders of the union. It appeals to the Polish members of the union as well as to all other Polish citizens to co-operate in a constructive way in order to effectuate a de-escalation of the conflict and to find a peaceful solution to economical problems.

The Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Borweg 1, The Hague

Gentlemen

Recently we were informed by the news media about the ideas and plans of a militant Islamic group which appears to be very intolerant toward people who cherish different beliefs or convictions. One Dutch newspaper said that "men who shaved their beards off would be treated as atheists", which bodes no good for judging from previous publications.

The IHEU condemns the destruction of humanist values caused by the violent overthrow of the constitutionally elected government of Chile by the military Junta.

The IHEU also deeply regrets the failure of the Commission on Human Rights of the UN to investigate the killings, torturing, imprisonment, banishment and denial of jobs to the Junta's opposition and the violation of elementary due process and justice to which every individual is entitled.

While recognising and deploring as a basic factor in the present tragic situation in Northern Ireland the continuance of religious and sectarian division in schools and other sectors of public life, the IHEU calls upon all parties to the dispute to renounce the use of violence as counterproductive and to resolve their differences by peaceful means. As a first step the IHEU calls upon the British Government to end internment without trial.