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** Your daily media briefing - Monday 27 July
In the Media <[link removed]> is our daily collection of news and commentary related to secularism, available delivered to your inbox. You can also read the latest news <[link removed]> and opinion <[link removed]> and listen to our podcasts <[link removed]> on our website.
** Secularism in the media
* Free speech row over new hate crime bill in Scotland - NSS mentioned <[link removed]>
A public consultation has closed on changes to Scotland's hate crime laws, which opponents say could have a damaging effect on free speech. The NSS's involvement in campaigns to protect free speech is referenced.
BBC
* 'You are not allowed to speak' - NSS quoted <[link removed]>
A key counter to extremism is the freedom to challenge all forms of thinking and to put alternative ideas, says Charlotte Littlewood. NSS chief executive Stephen Evans is quoted.
The Article
* Scottish Hate Crime Bill could 'criminalise expression of religious views', claims MSP <[link removed]>
James Kelly believes the Scottish Government has not learned from the mistakes of the Offensive Behaviour at Football act, which was repealed by MSPs in 2018.
Daily Record
* Actors could end up in dock under new Scots hate crime law, experts warn <[link removed]>
Edinburgh festival performers could find themselves in the dock under new hate crime laws proposed in Scotland, leading lawyers have warned.
The Scotsman
* 'Devil’s in the detail with Scottish hate crime bill' <[link removed]>
New law looks like a botched job that brings Satanic Verses affair to mind, says Alex Massie.
The Times (£)
* Campaigners call on Scottish Government to ban LGBT 'conversion therapy' <[link removed]>
Campaigners said the widely discredited practice – which seeks to change someone's sexuality or gender identity – is a "risk to public health" and should be made a criminal offence.
Herald Scotland
* UK’s only centre for eradicating FGM faces closure after funding pulled <[link removed]>
The UK's only centre dedicated to stamping out female genital mutilation is facing closure after the government pulled its funding, putting women at fresh risk of harm.
The Independent
* 'Dear Indian diaspora, we need to talk about caste' <[link removed]>
Satyajit Amin argues that the Indian diaspora needs to confront widespread casteism in their communities and renew efforts to pass anti-discrimination legislation.
Varsity
* Ireland: Law Society welcomes oaths change plan <[link removed]>
The Law Society has welcomed a proposal made by the Cabinet to change the system of oaths and affirmations made by witnesses in courts.
Law Society Gazette Ireland
* Rights experts urge Nigeria to free humanist detained for blasphemy <[link removed]>
Nigerian authorities must immediately release prominent humanist and rights defender Mubarak Bala, who has been detained for more than two months without charge on accusations of blasphemy, a group of independent UN human rights experts said on Friday.
UN News
* Dutch airline discriminated against woman forced to move away from Orthodox Jew <[link removed]>
Dutch airline KLM discriminated against a woman by forcing her to move seats on a plane when an Orthodox Jewish man refused to sit next to her, a rights watchdog has ruled.
Yahoo News
* Erdogan joins thousands to pray for first time at Istanbul's Hagia Sophia <[link removed]>
Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan joined huge crowds on Friday for the first prayers at Hagia Sophia in nine decades, sealing his ambition to restore Muslim worship at an ancient site long revered in both Christianity and Islam.
Reuters
** The latest from the NSS
* Why make a spectacle out of religion in the courtroom? <[link removed]>
Stephen Evans argues that the current system of religious oaths and affirmations should be replaced by a universal secular declaration of the solemn duty to tell the truth.
** Support our campaigns
* Religion, Values & Ethics, Curriculum for Wales proposals <[link removed]>
Welsh government plans would see Religion, Values and Ethics taught in a more pluralistic way. But they fall short of ensuring every pupil gets genuinely balanced and critical RVE. Find out more and help improve the proposals.
* Protect free speech in Scotland <[link removed]>
New hate crime laws proposed for Scotland may seriously undermine free speech - including the freedom to criticise or satirise religion. Find out more and help us protect free speech in Scotland.
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** While you're here
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