When the renowned Islamist preacher Dr Zakir Naik visited the Maldives this week his audience of over 11000 was the largest ever assembled in that island state for a religious lecture. What Dr Naik may not have anticipated, however, was the earthquake that erupted at the end of his talk. A young Maldavian, Mohammed Nazim, asked Dr Naik how Islam viewed a man like him, who had learned all about Islam, had read many books, but was unable to believe? He now knows the answer.

Leo Igwe, IHEU’s representative for West Africa, spoke about Freedom of Conscience and Religious Persecution in Africa at the 47th session of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights meeting in Bajul, the Gambia, on 13 May 2010. Below is his statement in full:

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.

Honorable Prime Minister

Whereas children's rights have gained official recognition ever since 1990 when the United Nations hosted the World Summit on Children where 71 countries adopted goals to improve children's lives by 2000;

Whereas the Convention on the Rights of the Child has been ratified by 187 nations, making it the most widely accepted human rights treaty ever;

The following resolution was rescinded by the IHEU General Assembly on 8 June 2008 and is therefore no longer in effect.

The International Humanist & Ethical Union, assembled in Berlin 23-26th July, 1993, wish to express their grave concern about the growth of destructive cults and sects throughout the world.

The International Humanist & Ethical Union condemns the new Common Syllabus for Religious Education in Northern Ireland, which comes into effect in September, 1993.

This Syllabus should be condemned because:

1. It is exclusive. The only religion studied in the compulsory core is Christianity. This is offensive to Muslims, Hindus, Jews and members of other faiths, as well as the 12% who, according to a recent poll, declare that they have no religion. It is against the interest of the children, who have a right to a broad education and the opportunity to learn understanding and tolerance towards those of differing beliefs.

The 67th Meeting of Non-Governmental Organisations holding consultative status with the Council of Europe and interested in human rights, present in Strasbourg on October 1990:

1. Having read the "Memorandum on Recent Developments in Law Affecting the Human Rights of Homosexual Women and Men" introduced by the International Humanist & Ethical Union on September 28 1989;

2. Convinced that the fight against all forms of discrimination is of vital importance for the maintenance and further realisation of human rights in the member states of the Council of Europe;

Being concerned about the confusion and contention sometimes caused by the words "religion" and "religious",

This board wishes to place on record the following points which can be agreed by all humanists:

1. Some humanists use the word "religion" as roughly equivalent to "life stance"; others take it to imply some theistic or non-naturalistic reality.
2. Those humanists who use the word "religious" to describe themselves or their organisations do not imply that their humanism accepts any theistic or non-naturalist realities.

The International Humanist & Ethical Union

* Is concerned about the increasing influence of a considerable number of fundamentalist Islamic groups on governments in the world. Their interference in daily life is alarming. The fundamentalist application of the "Shariah", the Islamic law, coupled with the denial of several fundamental rights (such as: right to self-determination, the right to change one's belief or life stance , the right to liberty and security of a person and the right to privacy) is unacceptable and in conflict with the international declarations and conventions on human rights and the humanist principle of the right to self-determination.