ORAL STATEMENT
Humanists International
United Nations Human Rights Council, 62nd Session (15th June – 8 July 2026)
Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression
Speaker: Leon Langdon
Mr President,
We thank the Special Rapporteur for her report on new frontiers for freedom of expression, and for her report on her visit to Germany, where she met some of our Members. We additionally extend our immense gratitude to the Special Rapporteur for six years of arduous work in defense of this right amidst deeply challenging times.
On the present report, we share the Special Rapporteur’s alarm at the instrumentalization and weaponization of freedom of expression, and restrictions on expression in the name of national security, as well as ideas of the public good. We see this pattern across many rights.
When it comes to criminalizing expression, the line must be drawn with immense care. Restrictions on incitement protect people, not beliefs, and this threshold is well laid out in the Rabat Plan of Action. Criticism of religion, for example, however offensive it may be deemed, is protected speech. We urge states to read and endorse this report in its entirety and in its nuance, and not simply do so selectively.
We are disappointed however that the Special Rapporteur’s report says little about blasphemy and apostasy laws, which remain among some of the deadliest restrictions on expression globally. Humanists, atheists, and the non-religious are prosecuted, imprisoned, face the death penalty, or extrajudicial violence for social media posts in dozens of countries. This too is the weaponization of expression, enforced through the digital means the report describes. We ask the incoming mandate holder to devote attention to this important issue.
Finally, we welcome the findings on gendered censorship. The suppression of sexual and reproductive health information and LGBTI+ issues by platforms is censorship. Not only that, but it is often advocated for by the networks which otherwise push so-called free speech absolutism.
Special Rapporteur, what single step should states take to ensure that legitimate restrictions on incitement are never molded into de facto blasphemy laws.
Thank you.
'Blasphemy and Freedom of Expression', Humanists International