IHEU representative Hannah Bock raised two examples of traditional practices that are continuing to impede efforts to reduce maternal mortality: child marriage in Afghanistan and the forced feeding of young girls in Mauritania.

Speaking at the Human Rights Council in Geneva today (12 September 2011), IHEU representative Hannah Bock called on religious leaders around the world to make it clear "again and again and again that no religion justifies the taking of innocent life.  It is the great tragedy of our time that, worldwide, we are confronted by those who believe it is".

There are more godless groups in the world than ever before. The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), the world union of Humanist, atheist, rationalist, freethought and ethical culture groups, now has 117 member organizations from 38 countries. At the World Humanist Congress in Olso, five new member organizations joined the IHEU, taking it to the highest membership figure in its six decade history.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) is calling on Humanists and all people of good conscience to show their support for the International Day Against Stoning, today, July 11, 2011. IHEU marked the day by calling on Iran to release Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. Iran is one of several countries that impose a form of Islamic law that includes death by stoning as a punishment for crimes including adultery.

The International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU) has called on the African Commission on Human and People's Rights (ACHPR) to work for the abolition of blasphemy laws throughout the continent. Speaking on Saturday, April 30th, at the 49th session of the ACHPR in Banjul, The Gambia, IHEU representative Leo Igwe said that blasphemy laws “justify and sanctify tyranny, hatred, intolerance, forced conversion, intimidation and violence.”

Speaking in a dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the 16th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva today, 3rd March 2011, IHEU representative Roy Brown condemned the continuing selectivity of the Council, comparing the immediate and excellent response of the Council to the barbarity of the Libyan regime with its lack of effective response to many other crimes against humanity. Brown cited in particular the judicial murder of hundreds of people in Iran and the deaths of more than 200,000 innocent civilians in the Sudan.

IHEU is pleased to announce the formation of a Humanist group in Singapore. The Humanist Society, which was officially recognized by the government of Singapore on 6 October 2010,  is the first society in Singapore to specifically cater for people with no religious affiliation.

Maryam Namazie, from IHEU member organization the Council of Ex-Muslims of Britain, is protesting against “gross inaccuracies” and “biased reporting” in a BBC TV show on stoning in Iran.  Namazie is especially concerned that the show will add legitimacy to the Iranian government’s planned execution of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, who has been the focus of an international campaign since she was sentenced to death by stoning for alleged adultery.