The International Humanist and Ethical Union, taking into account the currently emerging situation world-wide, resolves that the humanist movement must make renewed efforts to support comprehensive secularism in all countries, in the sense of separation of religion from state institutions, complete impartiality on the part of the State in its attitude and actions towards different religions and belief systems, and the right and the responsibility of the State to intervene to protect human rights from gross violation, even if based on religious doctrine or enshrined in religiously based civil law. The State must protect the individual’s right to leave his or her community without the fear of violence or severe reprisal.
Congress and General Assembly July 2005
'Comprehensive secularism', Humanists International, World Humanist Congress & General Assembly, Paris, France, 2005