Our Advocacy Work

Our Advocacy Work

26 August 2017

New case shows that the Irish State directly imposes a Catholic ethos in ETB Schools

A recent case at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) vindicates the position of Atheist Ireland in relation to religion in the Education & Training Board (ETB) schools and colleges. We have consistently argued that ETB schools are run as religious schools, and that most of...

12 August 2017

Atheist Ireland joins International Humanist and Ethical Union

Atheist Ireland has joined the International Humanist and Ethical Union. IHEU is a global representative body uniting a diversity of non-religious organisations and individuals. We also remain members of Atheist Alliance International, a global network that was restructured and relaunched at an Atheist Ireland convention...

27 July 2017

UN tells Pakistan to end blasphemy laws, and respect freedom of religion and belief for all

The United Nations Human Rights Committee has today told Pakistan to respect human rights, including freedom of religion and belief, under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Atheist Ireland, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Ireland, and the Evangelical Alliance of Ireland, briefed the...

22 July 2017

The Language Of Irish Politics Is Becoming More Secular

A bill that would remove the Good Friday alcohol ban, recently passed in the Seanad by a large majority. The debate on this issue was notable for how pervasive the core arguments of secularism, and the freedom of religion and belief, have now become within...

15 July 2017

UN questions Pakistan after briefing by Atheist Ireland, Evangelical Alliance and Ahmadi Muslims

This week in Geneva, the United Nations Human Rights Committee questioned Pakistan on its human rights obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Before this, the Committee was briefed by six NGOs, including a unique joint delegation from Atheist Ireland, the Evangelical...

8 July 2017

Irish Atheists, Evangelicals and Ahmadi Muslims will jointly address UN this week about Pakistan

In the coming week, Irish Atheists, Evangelicals and Ahmadi Muslims will be jointly challenging human rights abuses in Pakistan, at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. We will be speaking out for persecuted religious and nonreligious minorities living in Pakistan, who are afraid to speak...

8 July 2017

Atheist Ireland and parents are challenging discriminatory Second Level School Transport Scheme

Atheist Ireland and many parents are challenging the second level school transport scheme, which is unjust and discriminatory. And Ruth Coppinger TD has asked the Minister for Education the latest in a series of Dail questions, which you can read below, in relation to the...

28 June 2017

Minister Bruton’s new proposal is an unjust fine-tuning of an already unjust religious discrimination

Minister Bruton’s new proposal on schools admissions is an unjust fine-tuning of an already unjust religious discrimination. He is proposing to stop Catholic schools refusing to admit children on the basis of religion, but minority faith primary schools will be allowed to continue doing this....

21 June 2017

Education Committee report must not lead to fine-tuning of religious discrimination

The Oireachtas Education Committee has made two important recommendations regarding religious discrimination in Irish schools. The most important proposal is respecting the right to opt out from religion in schools, and putting in place guidelines to enable this to happen. The second is ending the...

16 June 2017

Polygamy in Ireland

This week, the Supreme Court has ruled that the polygamous second marriage of a Lebanese man is not valid under Irish law, while in contrast his first marriage will be valid. Under Lebanese law a man can have up to four wives but this ruling...