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Humanist Society Scotland attends FM “anti far-right” summit

April 24, 2025

The First Minister of Scotland held a summit of organisations drawn from across Scotland this week to discuss how best to tackle disinformation and protect and strengthen democracy.

Humanist Society Scotland were represented at the gathering of community groups, third sector organisations, trade unions and faith and belief organisations by our Chief Executive Fraser Sutherland.

Attendees raised concerns regarding the rise of intolerance against migrants and LGBT people. They spoke of how politicians and the media had helped further drive misinformation spread predominantly on social media rather than challenge it.

Community leaders working to alleviate poverty also raised the impact of austerity on our current political climate. They warned that frustrated people struggling to make ends meet were being driven into the arms of extremist movements offering simplistic solutions to complex problems.

And teachers present noted their alarm at the rising popularity of online ‘alt-right’ influencers among (predominantly) boys and young men. This trend has led to spikes in homophobic, misogynistic and racist abuse in schools.

Commenting on the event, Fraser said, “I’m pleased that the First Minister is taking seriously the threat of groups moving to undermine democracy and human rights. For humanists democracy is an integral part of our world view and a central tenet of the Declaration of Modern Humanism, which was last ratified by the global humanist community in Glasgow in 2022.

“On our part Humanist Society Scotland has warned for many years about the threats of populist ‘strong man’ political movements and their association with, or at least courting of, individuals associated with neo-nazi groups. There is not one solution to this challenge, which is as much global as it is local. It requires strong leadership and long term efforts rather than any one off statement of intention.

“We look forward to continuing the conversation on how best to protect democracy over the coming months and years with the government and wider civil society. As such we will write to the First Minister to lay out the actions we believe are necessary to drive lasting and impactful change.”

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