Humanists International’s Emma Wadsworth-Jones on the Freedom of Thought Report 2025
January 30, 2025
Each year, Humanists International’s Freedom of Thought Report meticulously documents the discrimination faced by non-religious people around the world. Emma Wadsworth-Jones is the Casework & Campaigns Manager at Humanists International and produces the report. In a guest article for our news blog, she talks us through this year’s findings.
What is the Freedom of Thought Report?
Today marks the publication of Humanists International’s Freedom of Thought Report 2025. Each year, the report examines how every state in the world upholds, or fails to uphold, the rights of non-religious people. This includes humanists, atheists, and those who are simply unaffiliated or disinterested. In particular, the report covers four areas: Constitution and Government; Education and Children’s Rights; Family, Community and Society; Freedom of Expression and Advocacy of Humanist Values.
Across these strands we explore four kinds of discrimination faced by non-religious people. These are legal discrimination, violence perpetrated by the state or non-state actors, social prejudice and taboo, and instrumentalising freedom-of-religion rights to curtail the rights of others.
We host a page for every country on our website. Each country’s record is updated at least once every five years. We also publish a print edition of the report, the Key Countries Edition. This includes a selection of recently updated countries. It also features a watchlist of countries not monitored during the previous year but which continue to pose human rights concerns. Today we are marking the launch of the Key Countries Edition for 2025.
The continued existence of blasphemy laws is one of the principle motivations for non-religious people across the globe hiding their true beliefs. In many countries, simply saying ‘I don’t believe in God’ can lead to reprisals.
The impact of global blasphemy laws
This year’s focus is the impact of “blasphemy” laws on the non-religious, and on the right to freedom of religion or belief. Our research shows that at least 89 countries across the globe have some form of blasphemy law on their statute books. This means that blasphemy laws affect 57% of the global population. One in 12 people could face a death sentence if convicted. Four in 10 could be imprisoned.
The continued existence of blasphemy laws is one of the principle motivations for non-religious people across the globe hiding their true beliefs. In many countries, simply saying “I don’t believe in God” can lead to reprisals. As well as fearing prosecution under the law, non-religious people might also fear social repercussions, such as violence, coercive conversion practices, ostracism, and loss of employment.
The most severe social reactions against the non-religious tend to occur in countries with the harshest blasphemy penalties. In these countries, members of the public might take matters into their own hands, resorting to vigilante violence. The perpetrators often enjoy complete impunity. Sometimes they even receive praise from high-ranking officials. This serves to perpetuate a cycle in which perpetrators feel justified in their reactions.
Case studies and countries of concern
This year’s Key Countries Edition features entries such as Afghanistan, Italy, and Nigeria, where blasphemy laws are implemented in practice. The report also includes the powerful testimony of award-winning Indian poet and filmmaker, Leena Manimekalai. Leena shares the impact of a backlash against a short documentary she made alleged to contain a “blasphemous” depiction of the goddess Kali. Not only has Leena faced the threat of legal prosecution, but she and her crew have faced a barrage of death threats and online abuse. They have also been doxxed (their home addresses and personal details released online). This has prevented Leena from returning home for several years.
As you can see, our work to fight persecution of the non-religious across the globe is more vital than ever. If you’d like to learn more about the report and the work of Humanists International, sign up to our monthly newsletter. You’ll receive updates on our work and the latest news from our international members and associates . The Freedom of Thought Report also has its own dedicated website. And if you have any questions or comments, you can contact us at report@humanists.international.
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