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CI not concerned by
Ashers case appeal
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Dear supporter,

LGBT campaigner Gareth Lee is appealing the Supreme Court’s decision in the Ashers case to the European Court of Human Rights. I respect Mr Lee’s right to appeal, but I am not losing any sleep over it.

The McArthur family are not involved. The UK Government is responsible for defending the case. The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland is also not part of the appeal.

The five Supreme Court judges ruled unanimously that equality law cannot compel people to say something with which they profoundly disagree. This is good for everybody, whatever their views.

Media reports suggest Mr Lee will ask the European Court of Human Rights to consider narrow aspects of the ruling. It appears that the focus of the appeal is political discrimination, which is a law unique to Northern Ireland. The process could take years, and the court may yet choose not to hear the case. Please see our website for more on this development ([link removed]) .

If it is wrong to compel an individual baker to say something they do not believe, it is just as wrong to compel a small family bakery. People do not relinquish fundamental freedoms just because they set up a family company. This is where lawyers for Mr Lee disagree.

Our Ashers briefing ([link removed]) considers the implications of the landmark decision in more detail. Please pray that the Ashers ruling will continue to benefit religious liberty and freedom of speech.

Yours in Christ,

Colin Hart
Director
The Christian Institute
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