During the 60th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Harrison Mumia, President of the Atheists in Kenya Society, delivered a joint statement with Humanists International under the General Debate on the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. The organizations reminded states that the Durban Declaration calls on all nations to eradicate racial, religious, and ethnic discrimination in both law and practice.
They observed that in Kenya, religious privilege and intolerance has continued to undermine progress on freedom of religion or belief (FoRB). The statement noted that religious and belief minorities frequently face social exclusion, harassment, and even discrimination in employment or within their own families. These challenges reflect a wider pattern of structural inequality, where religion retained undue influence in public institutions and policymaking.
The statement also drew attention to the devastating consequences of unregulated religious extremism. In coastal Kenya, promises of spiritual salvation by charismatic preachers has led to the deaths of numerous followers of the Good News International Church. Humanists International and Atheists in Kenya urged the government to revisit the Religious Organizations Bill, which was not enacted in 2024, as a means to improve oversight of religious groups – while still safeguarding freedom of belief and expression.
The statement concluded by calling for a commitment from the Kenyan Government in favor of genuine interfaith and interconvictional dialogue, as a way of promoting genuine respect and tolerance of diverse religions and beliefs, including of the non-religious.
Featured Photo by Amani Nation on Unsplash.
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