The last five years: what we have accomplished together

Humanists International’s out-going Casework & Campaigns Manager, Emma Wadsworth-Jones, reflects on what the humanist movement has achieved over the last five years that she has been in post.

As I prepare to move on from Humanists International, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what we have achieved together.

When I joined Humanists International in April 2020, the organisation had a clear commitment to supporting humanists at risk, but didn’t have a framework for doing so systematically. Now, we can proudly say that we have effective policies and procedures in place to verify and assist people at risk because of their non-religious beliefs safely and ethically.

Since April 2020, at least 655 non-religious people from all over the world have approached us for help. And we have responded to that need the best we can. We have worked to triage them to determine what kind of support, if any, we are best placed to provide.

For 97 people — those we determined to be at the highest risk to their life and whom we were in a strong position to be able to help — we provided “in-depth support”. For many of them, this support continued over several years. This support was tailored to their needs and our skills, and has ranged from the provision of one-off emergency grants, to campaigning, to private diplomacy, to identifying pro bono legal support, to supporting deserving asylum claims, and has required the close collaboration of the whole team at Humanists International to realise. Each case has been different, and each person has received differing kinds and degrees of support based on their needs, circumstances, and our capacity to help.

Of course, the case of Mubarak Bala looms large in the mind when we talk about “in-depth support”. Over the course of Mubarak’s ordeal, we have utilised all the tools, knowledge and resources at our disposal, be that financial, legal, advocacy and campaigning, diplomacy, and more. It is a case where the entire membership of Humanists International has come together in defense of not just one man, but a principle. His case became emblematic of the importance of protecting everyone’s right to freedom of religion or belief. Arrested on my second day in the job, he is finally free and safe. The work to coordinate campaigning and legal efforts, and provide support to Mubarak has consumed a lot of my time and the organisation’s resources, and it is very rewarding to know that we did it in the end.

One of the great things about providing “in-depth” support is that you are often able to see how someone’s circumstances change over time at least in part as a result of the support we have provided.

Thirty-three people have told us that they have been able to relocate permanently, whether that’s by having their claim to asylum approved or through scholarships and other resettlement programmes. They are now safe, and while it may not be easy, they can begin the long road of healing, and build a new life somewhere without the fear of persecution for their non-religious beliefs. Others report significant improvements in their circumstances: they are able to go home safely, they have found temporary relocation opportunities where they can develop their networks and share their expertise with others.

For 29 of them, we know that our help did what it was meant to in their time of need. This is typically the case where they have received emergency financial support. This support might have covered their immediate living costs while in hiding, relocation costs, or even medical or legal expenses. We may even have been able to assist them in accessing funds from other sources, such as partner organisations. In total, we have helped to ensure that the equivalent of more than £161,000 has been distributed to those who need it.

There are yet some people with whom we have lost touch, or whose cases have yet to find a resolution. We keep our fingers crossed for them.

For another 289 people — often ‘closeted’ atheists seeking community, connection or a way out of their often intractable circumstances — we have been able to provide advice and signposting, including introductions to others who might help them, tailored to their specific circumstances and needs.

And finally, at least 240 people have been signposted to our casework resources page – that serves as a roadmap to other qualified organisations who might be better placed to help them. That’s at least 626 different people who have received some help from Humanists International in the last five years.

I say at least, because, often, those we support have families who also benefit from the support we provide. Also, since we paused the casework programme in June 2024, we haven’t been recording the number of requests we receive, but they all have received signposting to our casework resources page. So the number, in reality, is likely far higher.

The support we provide hasn’t been perfect, but where we have made mistakes we have always sought to learn and adapt. The organization’s refined approach to casework is a reflection of this.

These are only the cases that have reached Humanists International. There are so many Members and Associates that also provide invaluable support to humanists at risk, and it has been a pleasure for me to collaborate with you, support you, learn from you, and be able to share your work and insights on what it takes to support humanists at risk with our wider membership.

In tandem, we have worked to ensure that the Freedom of Thought Report has gone from strength to strength, building on the solid foundations, as a team we have worked together to implement a range of changes that make it a robust resource increasingly cited by States, government agencies and partner organizations alike. These changes would be nothing without the diligent contributions of our Members and Associates who provide the grassroots knowledge of the FoRB landscape in which they live.

I have greatly enjoyed working with – and, particularly, learning from — you all. Thank you so much for the kindness, courage, and openness you have shown. A special thanks to my colleagues at Humanists International, who have been indispensable and without whom this work would not have been possible. I am very proud of what we have achieved together.